egister in a neat, firm handwriting; then, mustering the seven members
of the lower division, she marched them out of the room for a separate
lesson, leaving the platform to Miss Harper, who arrived punctually at
the stroke of nine. The mistress of the Fourth Form had a striking
personality which could not fail to influence those with whom she came
into contact--tall, dark, and handsome, she gave the impression of much
strength of will, keen wits, and great abilities. She was a very clever
teacher, who liked to push on quick pupils, but was a little ruthless
towards stupid girls. She knew how to make the dullest subject
entertaining, and expected a high average of work, having no toleration
for laziness, and a contempt for incompetence. No girl ever dreamt of
whispering or idling during Miss Harper's classes. As a rule, a word or
even a look was sufficient to maintain order. She rarely if ever
inflicted a punishment for a breach of discipline; to do so, she
considered, would be an acknowledgment of her lack of authority, and
indeed the girls dreaded one of her scathing reproofs far more than an
imposition or the loss of a mark. Her bright, vivacious, interesting
style, her fund of appropriate stories for every occasion, and her many
amusing remarks and comments, made her extremely popular with her class
in spite of her strictness, and the moment she took her place on the
platform all eyes were fixed on her clever, intellectual face. The
subject of her lecture this morning was the reign of James I, and to
Patty, accustomed to Miss Dawson's mild explanations, it was a
revelation in the way of teaching. As she had not prepared the chapter,
she could, of course, not answer any of the questions asked; but in
spite of that she felt she had never grasped any lesson so thoroughly
before: every little detail seemed impressed upon her memory, and she
was quite sorry when the class came to an end, and Mademoiselle arrived
to take French translation. Eleven o'clock was the signal for ten
minutes' interval for lunch, and most of the girls began at once to
leave the room. Patty was on the point of following, when a hand was
laid on her arm, and turning round she saw Enid, the pretty dark-eyed
girl who had eaten so many sweets in the train.

"I've been looking out for you ever since we got to school," said the
latter. "What became of you yesterday? I didn't see even the end of your
hair ribbon."

"I was having exams. nearly all day,"