Part 6 (1/2)
”Well, then, if you won't, there's no use in pressing you But I have sooing to Aylmer House in September, and that little Miss Howland whoirls under Mrs Ward's care”
”Then she will do well,” said Lady Lysle alter a pause, during which her face looked very thoughtful
”I wonder if she knows your niece,” said Mrs Cardew
Lady Lysle laughed ”I presume she does The school only contains twenty boarders--never any more I happen to know that there are two vacancies at the present irls a couple of years there It would do thee of the world before they enter it”
”Impossible! quite impossible!” said Mrs Cardew; ”their father would never consent”
CHAPTER IV
POWER WAS EVERYTHING TO MAGGIE
Meanwhile the young people enjoyed theard to her tennis, but she quickly proved that she could play better than any one else at the Manor that day The visitors walking about the grounds paused to remark on her excellent play and to inquire who she was She took her little triu that she was rather surprised at herself, and supposed that it was the fresh and delicious air of the country which had put her into such good form
”She is ridiculously overmodest,” said Isabel Tristraaood at her books; except, indeed, at certain things, such as recitation I wish you could see and hear her then She is alenius She looks like one inspired”
”I think her quite delightful,” said Merry; ”and as to being plain----”
”I told you, didn't I?” said Belle, ”that you'd never notice her looks after you had seen her for a minute or two”
By-and-by it was tio into the house for supper at Meredith Manor The three girls from the rectory were taken upstairs, to a spacious bedroom to wash their hands and brush their hair Molly and Isabel were both ht of Cicely and Merry
”What I think of theie ”Oh, they're first-rate, and not really dull at all; and the whole place is lovely, and all the people I met to-day were so nice, except, indeed, that Lady Lysle”
”Lady Lysle!” exclaimed Molly in a tone of astonishreatest friend Do you mean to say you were introduced to her?”
”Yes, Mrs Cardeas kind enough to do so, though I aine why she did it,” said Molly in a tone of astonishrown-up people”
”Well, her ostensible reason,” said Maggie, ”was that Lady Lysle knows my reat respect
”But that doesn't ie ”And noill tell you why, girls, only you must faithfully promise you won't repeat it to any one”
”Of course not,” said the girls eagerly, ere accustoie, as a rule, never gave her secrets to anyone
”Well, I will tell you,” said Maggie, the color flushi+ng into her face and then leaving it pale again ”Aneta Lysle is one of the girls at Aylmer House She is Lady Lysle's niece; and--well--you know I ah, but I can't bear Aneta Lysle”
Molly and Isabel were silent for a minute
”If _you_ can't bear her,” said Isabel, ”then I don't suppose we'll like her either e go to the school”
”Oh yes, you will; you'll adore her--sure to Now proain that you will never repeat this”