"

"I do not think that will be one of her faults;" and Mrs. Aldred smiled
a little, wondering how long it had been since Mrs. Davis had cast
comparative poverty behind her.

"French and all that she can pick up abroad. I should like her to know
some Italian songs. I wish I _could_ take her next year. You hardly
consider it possible?"

"Oh, no. I should certainly wait. She has improved. I will send for her.
And as it will soon be luncheon time may I not have the pleasure of
making you a guest? You will see our school in every-day trim, and meet
some of our teachers. We have also a day school for larger girls."

Mrs. Davis accepted graciously. Miss Craven was summoned, and entered
with self-possession.

The girl had been very happy all the morning. The consciousness that
someone loved her, albeit a girl so much younger, had been like red wine
to her blood, and kept her pulses throbbing, given her eyes a subtle
glow. The bluish tint should never have been in such eyes, golden or the
translucent green that sometimes sets hazel eyes ashine would have made
a great change in her face. But they had lightened up curiously, and her
cheeks rounded out, her complexion cleared up since she was no longer
exposed to sun and wind, and had a more hygienic training. She had tied
a pink ribbon around her neck. Helen Grant liked it so much.

Altogether, she looked improved from last summer. And she certainly had
learned to smile. Her teeth were white, even, and pretty.

She was very much surprised, and could not dismiss her distrust of Mrs.
Davis at once. Indeed, what reason had she for distrusting her? Mrs.
Aldred led the conversation until the girl's first embarrassment was
over, and then gracefully withdrew to plan for a change at the table.

Soon after luncheon Mrs. Davis took her leave, quite convinced that Mrs.
Aldred would do as well for her husband's ward as anyone. She would
have liked the prestige of the convent better.

By dinner time most of the girls knew that Miss Juliet Craven was really
an heiress, and that her guardian was the great banker and lawyer as
well, and who was occasionally called upon to disentangle some very
intricate points, Mr. James Elliot Davis.

CHAPTER XV

BETWIXT TWO

"And you knew it all the time!" Daisy Bell cried indignantly. She sat
curled up on her bed, her soft, pretty hair let down about her
shoulders, her arms folded across her chest as if she would shut out any
pleading t