, so joyous to Jasper--was forgotten in the spirit of reunion.
Oh, it was perfect for the Flower Girl to be with her precious Precious
Stone again, and she even loved his dear Scots ways so much that she
told him of her little adventure as a 'great secret,' and besought of
him not to mention it to any one.

'And so you were taken with that English boy Ivor Chetwode,' he
remarked. 'I didn't think you were so fickle. But it's all right now,
Hollyhock, and you 'll have a right jolly time at the school.'

CHAPTER XII.

UNDER PROTEST.

Whatever Hollyhock's feelings may have been, she went to school on the
following Monday morning with a good grace. She was the sort of girl
who, when once she put her hand to the plough, would not take it back
again. She refused, however, to listen to any of the stories which
Jasmine, Gentian, and the others longed and pined to tell her of the
great school.

'I 'll find out for myself,' was her remark; and Mrs Constable advised
the other girls to leave this obstinate lass alone as far as possible.

'Under protest!' exclaimed Jasmine.

'If you think it right,' said Gentian.

'Yes, Jasmine; yes, Gentian. I do know what is really best for our
little maid. She will find her own way best in the school if she is
not interfered with. If she is in any sort of trouble, then she will
have her dear Flower sisters to go to.'

'I doubt it myself,' said Gentian. 'That's just what Hollyhock will
not do. I know Holly; she's a queer fish. Rare courage has she; I 'm
not fit to hold a candle to her myself.'

'Oh, you have plenty of courage of your own,' said Mrs Constable. 'You
can wile every girl in the place, but don't interfere with Hollyhock.'

'Well, I 'm longing to be off to school,' said Jasmine, 'and I only
trust Holly will like the dear spot as much as we do.'

'She 's certain sure to, girlies, if you don't tell her so. If you do,
I won't answer for the consequences. She 'd love to scare you all.
There now, my darlings, let her be, let her be.'

So the girls, who dearly loved Aunt Cecilia, and who thought a lot of
her counsel, were induced to be judicious in the matter of Hollyhock,
and to walk with her to Ardshiel as though it were an ordinary stroll
they were taking.

Hollyhock was certainly a very handsome little girl. With the
exception of Rose of the Garden, she was the only one of the young
Lennoxes who was really dark. Her great deep black eyes were
surround