how could a girl with a wardrobe as complete and expensive as
yours--I have been informed that it was remarkable--be in need of money
to pay her expenses, or obliged to live in a charitable institution, as
I believe Harlowe House is?"

"You are mistaken. Harlowe House is _not_ a charitable institution!"
Grace Harlowe's voice vibrated with indignation. "I beg your pardon,"
she apologized in the next instant.

Miss Wharton glared angrily at her for fully a minute. Then, ignoring
the interruption and the protest, turned again to Jean.

"I cannot answer your question," Jean spoke with quiet composure.

"You mean you _will_ not answer it," retorted the dean.

"I have nothing to say that you would care to hear." Jean's lips set in
the stubborn line that signified no yielding.

Miss Wharton turned to Grace. "You have heard what this young woman
says. Can you answer the question I asked Miss Brent?"

"The answer to the question must come from Miss Brent," replied Grace
with gentle evasion.

"Miss Harlowe, you have not answered me." Miss Wharton was growing
angrier. "I insist upon knowing the details of this affair from
beginning to end. Miss Brent's conduct has been contrary to all the
traditions of Overton."

"That is perfectly true," admitted Grace.

"Then if you know it to be true, why do you evade my question? It will
be infinitely better for you to be frank with me. I am greatly
displeased with you and the reports I hear of Harlowe House. I assured
Miss Wilder, when first I met you, that I doubted President Morton's and
her judgment in allowing you to hold a position of such great
responsibility. You are too young, too frivolous. I am informed that
Harlowe House is almost Bohemian in its character."

"Then you have been misinformed." Cut to the heart, Grace spoke with a
dignity that was not to be denied. "Harlowe House is conducted on the
strictest principles of law and order. We try to be a well-regulated
household, upholding the high standard of Overton. If it had not been
for two of my friends and I, Mrs. Gray would never have given it to the
college, and thirty-four girls would have missed obtaining a college
education. Miss Wilder believed in me. She trusted me. I regret that you
do not. Regarding Miss Brent, I have received ample assurance of her
honesty of purpose from Miss Lipton, the head of the Lipton Preparatory
School for Girls. Miss Lipton and I are in possession of certain facts
concerning Miss B