self, innocently
and unconsciously, like a little bird. Maria did not notice it. She
had her own thoughts, and she was using all her power of self-control
to conceal her agitation. It seemed to her as she entered the
building as if her secret was written upon her face, as if everybody
must read as they ran. But she removed her coat and hat, and took her
place with the other assistants upon the platform in the chapel of
the academy where the morning exercises were held. She spoke to the
other teachers, and took her usual seat. Wollaston was not yet there.
The pupils were flocking into the room, which was picturesque with a
dome-shaped ceiling, and really fine frescoed panels on the walls.
Directly opposite the platform was a large oriel-window of stained
glass, the gift of the founder. Rays of gold and green and blue and
crimson light filtered through, over the assembling school. Maria saw
Evelyn with her face turned towards the platform eagerly watching.
She was not looking at Maria, but was evidently expecting the advent
of the new principal. It did not at that time occur to Maria to
attribute any serious meaning to the girl's attitude. She merely felt
a sort of impatience with her, concerning her attitude, when she
herself knew what she knew.

Suddenly a sort of suppressed stir was evident among those of the
pupils who were seated. Maria felt a breeze from an open door, and
knew that Wollaston had entered. He spoke first to her, calling her
by name, and bidding her good-morning, then to the other teachers.
The others were either residents of Westbridge, or boarded there, and
he had evidently been introduced to them before. Then he took his
seat, and waited quietly for the pupils to become seated. It lacked
only a few minutes of the time for opening the school. It was not
long before the seats were filled, and Maria heard Wollaston's voice
reading a selection from the Bible. Then she bent her head, and heard
him offering prayer. She felt a sort of incredulity now. It seemed
to her inconceivable that the boy whom she had known could be
actually conducting the opening exercises of a school with such
imperturbability and self-possession. All at once a great pride of
possession seized her. She glanced covertly at him between her
fingers. The secret which had been her shame suddenly filled her with
the possibility of pride. Wollaston Lee, standing there, seemed to
her the very grandest man whom she had ever seen. He was un