n our honor," said Ralph, "and I trusted you too, when you went
off with Frank."

Dolly's tears began to fall. "I won't tell tales of you," said Ralph.
"Perhaps I am partly to blame, I ought not to have left you. Come and
skate with me, now."

"I don't want to. I'll go home," said Dolly.

Mother did not come back to lunch. She sent round a note to say she was
staying with Lily; and by and by when she returned, her heart was so
full of sorrow for the suffering child that she forgot to ask about the
morning's pleasure. If Dolly was silent, mother thought it was from
sympathy with herself.

The next day school began. All thoughts of skating were banished; there
was a prize to be fought for, and Dolly had set her heart on winning it.

Somehow the spirit that had hitherto animated her now failed. The world
seemed all out of tune. Again and again she was on the point of
confessing her wrong-doing, as mother bent above her for a good-night
kiss. But weeks passed, and still the words remained unspoken. Ralph
never mentioned the ice; yet Dolly fancied he had loved her less since
that morning.

"You musn't be too anxious about the prize, Dolly, darling," said her
mother, noticing the tired face, "or I am afraid you will fall ill from
worry. I am quite glad to think the breaking-up party is to-morrow.
Mind, dear, I shall not be disappointed if you fail. I can trust my
child, and I know she has done her best."

Dolly flushed crimson. Her mother trusted her, and imagined she knew
every thought of her childish heart. How little mother knew the misery
Dolly was enduring!

All was excitement at the school. The prize-giving only took place once
a year, and many and great were the hopes and fears on that eventful
day. Some girls were of opinion that Dolly would carry off the coveted
prize, others that she had lost ground of late, and failed utterly.
Dolly, quite aware of her shortcomings, was yet vaguely longing for
success. Her rival in the class was older and cleverer than herself, but
without the perseverance that characterized Dolly, therefore Dolly hoped
on until the prize-giving began.

Everything passed as in a dream, until Dolly's class was mentioned, when
Miss Danvers, the head mistress, in a short speech declared that the
prize had been won, after a severe struggle, by Lucy Trevor. At the same
time she was giving a special prize, because of the good conduct and
perfect uprightness and truth of the unsuccessful compet