g could be believed true, there was a hitherto
unknown modesty and self-forgetfulness about her manner. "You look a
darling yourself," Rowena added affectionately. "Are you going to get a
lot of prizes to make us proud of you too?"

"Nary a one," said Dreda with a grimace. "The girls are so horribly
clever in this school. I have no chance against them. We Saxons are
different; we have the artistic temperament; it's more interesting for
daily life, but it doesn't pay in exams. I am simply nowhere in the
lists."

"But the essay, dear--the great essay on Life! Surely _there_--"

Dreda bridled, and held up a modest hand.

"Impossible to say. Nobody knows. Mr Rawdon will announce it himself.
There he is--over by the fireplace, talking to Miss Drake. Fancy an
author looking like that! Quite smart and shaved, like an ordinary man.
I expected yards of beard. Oh, dear! my life is in his hands, and he
is laughing and talking as if nothing were going to happen! At three
o'clock we have all to go down to the big classroom. Sit where you can
see me, Ro, and smile at me encouragingly when he gets up; but if
someone else wins, look the other way--I shall want to hide my anguish."

Rowena laughed--a trill of merry, irresistible laughter, and the stare
of scornful reproach failed to move her to penitence.

"You funny girl--you funny girl! Oh, Dreda, you _do_ exaggerate! A
passing disappointment like that! Such a little, little thing, when
there are such big prizes waiting in life! Oh, Dreda, you are _young_!"

"Oh, Rowena, you are--" The retort hung fire, for at the moment it
seemed impossible to think of the right word to express what Rowena was.
"_Changed_!" came at last, as a somewhat tame conclusion, but at least
it had the effect of making Rowena blush from the tip of her dainty chin
to the very roots of her flaxen hair. Now, why should one blush as
though one had been detected in a crime at simply being accused of
change?

At five minutes to three the pupils left the drawing-room, and took
their places ranged at the back of the big classroom. A small platform
had been erected at the farther end, on which sat the teachers, with Mr
Rawdon in the place of honour, just behind the water-bottle on the
table. Parents and friends sat in chairs running sideways down the
room, so that they were able to see the girls and watch the progress of
happy prize-winners towards the platform. Rowena smiled confidently at