less girl.

Late that evening Leucha went into Jasmine's bedroom. 'I 'm very
unhappy here and everywhere,' she said; 'but this place is worse even
than the school. At school I shall doubtless find many friends to
welcome me, so I 'm returning to the Palace of the Kings to-morrow.'

'Well, I 'm glad, for my part,' said Jasmine; 'and I hope you have made
up your mind to be nice to my sister.'

'If that is your hope, you 're mistaken,' said Leucha. 'I wouldn't
touch her with a pair of tongs. Nasty, sinful girl, to play such a
trick on an innocent maid!'

'Well,' said Jasmine, 'I shall be very glad to get back to school early
to-morrow.'

'And I to my friends,' said Leucha.

'I have remarked,' said Jasmine, 'that you haven't taken much trouble
in studying the habits of the kitchen cat. I know that you have made
puss your subject for the grand essay, for Hollyhock thought it best to
tell me, in order that you might see the poor beastie. But you have
been so unkind to her, Leucha, that she'd fly now any distance at your
approach.'

'And let her; let her,' said the angry Leucha. 'I don't want her, you
may be sure of that. And as to my essay, of course I must stick to it;
but I may as well tell you, Jasmine, that it will be from beginning to
end on the _vices_ of the kitchen cat, encouraged by her deceitful and
silly mistress, Hollyhock!'

'Have your way,' said Jasmine; 'but I don't think you'll be getting the
Duke's locket. The Duke is our kinsman and he knows us lassies, and
Hollyhock is a _prime_ favourite with him, so speaking against one like
her will not please his Grace. But now let me go to bed; I 'm sleepy
and worn-out.'

The next day the girls unexpectedly arrived at the school. Leucha was
certain that she would have the same warm welcome that she had received
when she came downstairs after her illness caused by Hollyhock's
mischievous prank, but she did not remember that she was now Holly's
enemy. She did not even recall the fact that Meg Drummond was
forbidden to have dealings with her. In short, the school received her
with extreme coldness. The only one whose eyes lit up for a moment
with pleasure was that beloved one called Hollyhock; but she soon
turned her attention to a group of girls surrounding her, and as Leucha
would not give her even the faintest ghost of a smile, she tossed her
proud little black head and absorbed herself with others, who were but
too eager to talk to her.

Le