Cynthia! how was she to
know it? Many more of them than she imagined would have liked to embrace
her had they believed that the embrace would be returned. Secretly they
had grown to admire this strange, dark girl, who was too proud to bend
for the good opinion of any one--even of Miss Sally Broke. Once during
the term Cynthia had held some of them--in the hollow of her hand, and
had incurred the severe displeasure of Miss Sadler by refusing to tell
what she knew of certain mischief-makers.

Now, Miss Sadler was going about among them in the school parlor saying
good-by, sending particular remembrance to such of the fathers and
mothers as she thought worthy of that honor; kissing some, shaking,
hands with all. It was then that a dramatic incident occurred--dramatic
for a girls' school, at least. Cynthia deliberately turned her back on
Miss Sadler and looked out of the window. The chatter in the room was
hushed, and for a moment a dangerous wrath flamed in Miss Sadler's eyes.
Then she passed on with a smile, to send most particular messages to the
mother of Miss Isabel Burrage.

Some few moments afterward Cynthia felt a touch on her arm, and turned
to find herself confronted by Miss Sally Broke. Unfortunately there is
not much room for Miss Broke in this story, although she may appear in
another one yet to be written. She was extremely good-looking, with real
golden hair and mischievous blue eyes. She was, in brief, the leader of
Miss Sadler's school.

"Cynthia," she said, "I was rude to you when you first came here, and
I'm sorry for it. I want to beg your pardon." And she held out her hand.

There was a moment's suspense for those watching to see if Cynthia would
take it. She did take it.

"I'm sorry, too," said Cynthia, simply, "I couldn't see what I'd done to
offend you. Perhaps you'll explain now."

Miss Broke blushed violently, and for an instant looked decidedly
uncomfortable. Then she burst into laughter,--merry, irresistible
laughter that carried all before it.

"I was a snob, that's all," said she, "just a plain, low down snob. You
don't understand what that means, because you're not one." (Cynthia did
understand, ) "But I like you, and I want you to be my friend. Perhaps
when I get to know you better, you will come home with me sometime for a
visit."

Go home with her for a visit to that house in Washington Square with the
picture gallery!

"I want to say that I'd give my head to have been able to t