the luggage-van kept returning to her memory again
and again, and in her purse were ten shillings, and in her mother's
purse were three pounds, for the difference between the third-class and
the first-class fares had been paid, and Florence, after keeping ten
shillings for immediate expenses, could still hand her mother three
pounds.

"You don't know what it will be to me, Flo," the little Mummy had said.
"I shall be able to buy a new dress for the winter. I didn't dare to
say a word to your Aunt Susan about her cast-offs; I scarcely liked to
do so. But there are your clothes too, dear; I can cut them up and
make use of them. Yes, I am quite a rich woman, and it is all owing to
the Scholarship."

The thought of that three pounds for her mother did comfort Florry, and
her conscience was not accusing her so loudly that day, so she sat back
on the cushions and reviewed the position. She was going back to
Cherry Court School as a rich girl; what would her companions think of
her?

CHAPTER XIII.

AN INVITATION.

The holidays had come to an end, and the girls were returning to the
school. The three who were to compete for Sir John's Scholarship had
special desks assigned to them, were instructed by special teachers,
and were looked upon with intense respect by the rest of the school.
The holidays had gone by and had been pleasant, for Mrs. Aylmer had
written to Mrs. Clavering to beg of her to take her niece Florence for
a week's change on the seaside, and Mrs. Clavering had insisted on
Kitty accompanying them, and, as Mrs. Aylmer paid the greater part of
the expenses, the girls had a good time.

Mrs. Aylmer now wrote twice a week, if not to Florence herself, at
least to Mrs. Clavering; and Mrs. Clavering had to alter her views with
regard to Florence, to give her every advantage possible, and to look
upon her with a certain amount of respect.

"It certainly is most important that you should get that Scholarship,"
she said once to the young girl. "Mrs. Aylmer has explained the whole
position to me, but then you won't get it, Florence, unless you earn
it."

"I know that," said Florence.

"And Kitty has an equal chance with you. I think Kitty is a remarkably
intelligent girl. It is just as important for her to get it as it is
for you, you quite understand that?"

"Oh, I quite understand," said Florence.

"Then there is also Mary Bateman. Mary has not as brilliant an
intellect as Kitty, and in some