"Come, Flo," she said, suddenly dropping on her knees by the unhappy girl's side, "come, cheer up; don't look so miserable. You and I are in the same boat and we must sink or swim together. If you support me I'll support you. I can help you again and again, and think what I am doing for you to-night." "Oh, I hate myself, I hate myself! I don't think I can go through with it," said Florence. "Then what do you mean to do?" "Tell Sir John all before he begins. It is Kitty's Scholarship--not mine; and how--how am I to take it?" "Now this is utter folly," said Bertha, seriously alarmed at last, for if Florence were to develop a conscience, and a conscience of such a sensitive order, at this hour, all would indeed be lost as far as she was concerned. "Come," she said, "think what it means. You love your mother; think of her position if you lose; and it was only three pounds, and I promise--there, I promise I'll save it out of my salary; you shall have it back. Oh, don't tell on me; I shall be ruined for ever; don't--don't--don't!" Bertha clasped her hands, the tears rose to her eyes--a bell was heard in the distance. It was the bell which was to summon the guests, the girls of the school, and the three competitors to the great hall. "There, I must be going," said Florence, "but I am miserable. My head aches, I doubt if I can go through with this." "You will feel quite different when you get downstairs," said Bertha, "and now cheer up; only just remember one thing. If you fail me I will fail you, and _vice versa_." Florence did not dare to look back at Bertha; she left the room. There was a noise in her ears and a swimming before her eyes. Bertha stood for a moment, looking after her retreating form. "I am almost sorry I did not tell her at the time," she said to herself; "when she has accepted the Scholarship I shall be safe; but she has had a shock. There is no saying what a girl of that temperament may do under pressure; but there, I believe the excitement will carry her through, and I don't believe for a moment she has the moral courage to stand the public disgrace which would be hers if she told now. Yes, she is in for it; she must go through with it." Bertha patted her red hair and drew herself up to her full height, and presently accompanied the pupils down to the great hall, where they took their seats in the places allotted to them; excellent seats from the point of view, for they could see every single thing and were themselves to a certain extent in shadow. The different guests had assembled, all beautifully dressed. Mrs. Aylmer the great and Mrs. Aylmer the less found themselves side by side. Mrs. Aylmer the great was in a magnificent robe of violet brocade, open at the throat, displaying a quantity of rich lace. On her head glittered diamonds, and her light eyes flashed as she glanced from time to time at Mrs. Aylmer the less.