. She declared she could not and would not make the
necessary confession.

"I'll write to my mother to send for me to go home, and it can come out
after I'm gone," she declared.

Lettice lost her temper and indulged in hard words, which, so far from
altering Flossie's decision, only made her more obstinately determined.
Fortunately, Janie had greater patience.

"I'm sure you'll be brave enough to do it for Honor's sake," she said.
"You'll feel far happier and more comfortable when it's over. I know
it's hard, but it's right, and we shall all think so much better of you
afterwards than if you shirked telling, and went home. You could hardly
come back again here if you did that. Be a true Chaddite, and remember
our house motto: 'Strive for the highest'. I'll go with you to Miss
Maitland, if you like."

In the end, Janie's counsel prevailed, and Flossie, very tearful and
apprehensive, allowed herself to be led to the study, to return the
sovereign and explain how it came into her possession. Miss Maitland
proved kindness itself. She was immensely relieved to find that the
whole affair was due to a mischance, and that none of her girls had
been capable of committing a dishonest act. It wiped a blot from St.
Chad's, and restored the house to its former high standing.

"If we could only find Honor Fitzgerald," she declared, "my mind would
be at rest."

CHAPTER XVIII

The End of the Term

Major Fitzgerald's astonishment at meeting his runaway daughter on
Westhaven Quay was great, but he was extremely thankful to find her
safe and sound. He had received a telegram from Chessington informing
him of her flight, and had started immediately for the College, coming
from Cork to Westhaven by a night cargo vessel, as he thought that a
quicker route than by the ordinary mail steamer from Dublin to
Holyhead.

He at once took Honor to a hotel, where he engaged a private
sitting-room and ordered luncheon; then he set to work to demand an
explanation of what was still to him an absolute puzzle and mystery. In
spite of her determination to suppress all mention of Dermot's
embarrassments, Honor speedily found herself pouring out the whole of
her troubles into her father's ears. She was no dissembler, never
having been accustomed to concealment, and possessing naturally a very
open character; so, with a few skilful questions, the Major easily drew
from her the entire story.

She had prepared herself to expect a stern reb