were these exquisite creations meant for? Kathleen
smiled as she handed one to Mary Rand, another to Ruth Craven, another
to Kate Rourke, and finally to each member of her Cabinet.

"I wish I could give you all a blouse apiece," she said to the other
girls of the society, "but I am afraid that is not within my means. I
chose these sweet blouses on purpose, because I know you could wear them
at any time, girls," she added, turning to the members of her Cabinet.
"Outsiders won't know. They will wonder at the beauty of your dress, but
they won't know what it means; but _we_ will know," she shouted aloud to
her companions--"we will know that these girls belong to us and to old
Ireland, and in particular to me, and they will be faithful to me as
their queen."

"Oh dear," said little Alice Harding, a pale-faced girl, who loved fine
dress and never could aspire to it, "what means can I take to become a
member of the Cabinet?"

"By being a very good outside member, and trusting to your luck,"
laughed Kathleen. "But the time is passing, and we must proceed to what
little business is left for to-night."

Each member of the Cabinet took possession of her own blouse, wrapped it
up tenderly, and tucked it under her arm. Kathleen desired some one to
throw the tell-tale box away, and then she collected her followers round
her.

"Now," she said, _"Rule One_. To stick through thick and thin each to
the other."

"Yes!" cried every voice.

_"Rule Two._ If possible, never to quarrel each with the other."

This rule also was received with acclamations.

_"Rule Three._ To have a bit of fun all to ourselves at least once a
week."

This rule quite "brought down the house." They shouted so loud that if
the spot had been less lonely some one would certainly have taken
cognizance of their proceedings.

_"Rule Four._ That as far as possible we hold ourselves aloof from the
paying members of the Great Shirley School."

This rule was not quite as enthusiastically received. The foundationers
were not altogether without friends amongst the other girls of the
school. Ruth Craven in particular had several.

"I don't think that is a very fair rule," she said. "I am fond of Alice
Tennant, and I am fond of Cassandra Weldon."

"And I care for Lucy Sharp"; "And I am devoted to Amelia Dawson," said
other members of the Cabinet.

Nevertheless Kathleen was firm.

"The rule must be held," she said. "In a society like ours there are
always