s up to some mischief!
There, dry your eyes, child, I won't be too hard on him! In the
meantime, we must think of getting back to Dunscar. We can just catch
the 2.40 train. The sooner we arrive at the College and ease Miss
Cavendish's mind, the better. I must buy you a hat as we walk to the
station, and then perhaps you'll look more respectable."

It seemed to Honor as if an immense weight had been lifted from her
mind. She began for the first time to understand her father, and to
realize how much he thought of and cared for his children's welfare.
The knowledge drew her nearer to him than she had ever been before. Her
troubles seemed over now that he had taken the responsibility of them;
she wished she had trusted him sooner, and felt that he was indeed, as
he had said, her best and truest friend.

Miss Maitland was greatly relieved that afternoon when her missing
pupil was restored to her, and congratulated herself that the mystery
had been solved, and that she was able to give a full explanation to
Major Fitzgerald of what had occurred.

The latter listened with close attention to her account.

"Pray don't apologize for having accused Honor falsely," he said. "As
house-mistress, it was your plain duty to act as you did, and the
evidence seemed overwhelming. I don't exonerate my little girl
altogether; she had no right to take the law into her own hands and
meet her brother in defiance of rules, and, still worse, to run away
from school; neither had she any business to climb through the window
into your study. She deserves a thorough scolding, but I think she is
truly sorry, and that the consequences of her foolishness have been
punishment enough."

"We will say no more about it," replied Miss Maitland; "it is an
unpleasant episode, which we shall be only too glad to consign to
oblivion. Honor has shown us already that she is capable of better
things, and I shall expect much from her in the future."

The runaway received a warm welcome from the Chaddites, who much
regretted their hasty action in condemning her without sufficient
proof.

"I'm afraid I misjudged you before, Honor," said Vivian Holmes.
"Flossie has told me that it was she who shammed ghost. It's a pity
there have been so many misunderstandings, but I'm glad you weren't
responsible for Evelyn's fright."

Vivian spoke kindly, but without enthusiasm. She was ready enough to
acknowledge Honor's innocence, but she still did not altogether approve
o