e, who had a very
methodical manner of going over their doings.

In April an announcement was made that surprised and troubled many of
the scholars. Mrs. Aldred had decided to go to Europe, taking her
daughter Grace and chaperoning several other young ladies. Gertrude, who
had been studying hard in Paris, would join them, and they would spend
the ensuing winter in Rome. Mrs. Wiley and her daughter would take the
school, keeping it on the same lines.

"I wish you could remain another year and graduate," she said to Helen.
"I shall write to Mrs. Van Dorn about it. Then you would be fitted for
whatever might happen afterward."

"Oh, thank you!" Helen replied earnestly. "I have been troubled about
it, and thought I ought to inquire. I should be so sorry to have my
schooldays end. I have been so happy here."

No one could doubt it to look at her radiant face. Mrs. Aldred was much
gratified.

Yes, she should hate to part with Daisy now that they were growing so
dear to each other. And she felt as if she wanted a life interest in
Miss Craven, to know the sort of woman she would make and what she would
do with her fortune.

It was May when the reply came, a reply that so astounded Helen, even
after reading the letter over two or three times, that she was still
bewildered. She took it to Mrs. Aldred.

"Yes," that lady rejoined, "you may read mine. Mrs. Van Dorn keeps her
mind as fresh as a person of half her age, and she is past eighty. She
has made all the arrangements."

And the arrangements were that Mrs. Aldred should bring Helen to Paris
with the other young ladies. She was going there and would be ready to
receive her. She was very grateful for the care bestowed upon Helen, she
had been very much gratified with the girl's letters, and this must
answer until she could express the rest in person.

"And you think--I can't make it seem true," faltered Helen,--"that such
a thing should happen to me?"

"It does not altogether surprise me," Mrs. Aldred answered in a
reassuring tone. "I surmised this from the beginning. Mrs. Van Dorn took
an unusual fancy to you, and knowing you these two years I must give her
penetration great credit. For certain reasons, I regret you cannot go on
with your education. But you will learn a great deal abroad."

"I feel as if all of life is a school, and you are learning right along
to do what comes next. I have worked hard at the French, and now I see
the use of it. I dare say it will