to be merely formal, although
very correct. There were other things, too, that little Irene could pick
up even at a word or a glance. Agnes did not much matter; her talents
were quite ordinary. She was just a loving and lovable little child,
that was all; but when Lucy sometimes met a glance of triumph in
Rosamund's dark eyes, and saw the light dancing in Irene's, she began to
turn round and plan for herself how she could work out a very pretty
little scheme of revenge.

Now, there seemed no more secure way of doing this than by detaching
little Agnes from Irene; for, however naughty Irene might be, however
careless at her tasks, one glance at her little companion had always the
effect of soothing her. Suppose Lucy were to make little Agnes her
friend? That certainly would seem a very simple motive; for Lucy, in
reality, was not interested in small children. She acknowledged that
Agnes had more charm than most of her companions, and, in short, she was
worth winning.

"The first thing I must do is to detach her from Irene. She does not
know anything about Irene at present, but I can soon open her eyes,"
thought Lucy to herself.

The school began, as almost all schools do, toward the middle of
September, and it was on a certain afternoon in a very sunny and warm
October that Lucy invited little Agnes Frost to take a walk with her.
She did this feeling sure that the child would come willingly, for both
Irene and Rosamund were spending the half-holiday at The Follies. Miss
Frost was busily engaged, and beginning to enjoy her life, and little
Agnes was standing in her wistful way by one of the doors of the
schoolroom when Lucy came by.

"Why, Agnes," said Lucy, "have you no one to play with?"

"Oh, yes, I have every one," said Agnes, raising her eyes, which
appealed to all hearts; "only my darling Irene is away, and I miss her."

"Well, you can't expect her to be always with you--can you?"

"Of course not. It is very selfish of me; but I miss her all the same."

"Now, suppose," said Lucy suddenly--"suppose you take me as your friend
this afternoon. What shall we do? I am a good bit older than you, but I
am fond of little girls."

Agnes looked at Lucy. In truth, she had never disliked any one; but Lucy
Merriman was as little to her taste as any girl could be.

"There's Agnes Sparkes. Perhaps she wouldn't mind playing with me," said
she after a pause.

"As you please, child. If you prefer Agnes you can go and sea