Once Mrs. Bonnell had bearded the lioness in her den and striven to remonstrate with her, which had drawn upon her devoted head such a storm of resentment that she had then and there tendered her resignation also. At that point Miss Woodhull, realizing how entirely dependent she was upon Mrs. Bonnell's perfect management of Leslie Manor had actually apologized and begged Mrs. Bonnell to remain. She excused her language upon the score of excessive fatigue after so many years of unremitting work. "Unremitting?" Mrs. Bonnell smiled but accepted the apology. Her livelihood depended upon her own work, and she also loved the place and had many friends in that part of the world. But the idea of Miss Woodhull's "arduous work" was certainly amusing. Miss Woodhull never did a thing (but criticise) from one day's end to the next. She had long since given up all classes, and now merely presided as the autocrat of the establishment, unloved by any, feared by many, disliked by all. If Miss Stetson and Miss Baylis really did like her they also shared the fear she inspired. More than one upheaval had occurred in the course of the school's existence, but had always been quickly hushed up, though vague rumors had circulated throughout the community. During later years, however, more than one girl had "been dismissed," so Miss Woodhull stated, "for unbecoming conduct." The girls themselves told different stories. For the past three years Dr. and Mrs. Kilton had been quietly trying to purchase Leslie Manor through agents in Richmond, for a good bit of inside information had come to them regarding the manner in which matters were shaping there, and their pride in the community, and in Warren County, shrank from some possible crisis which would bring upon it an unpleasant notoriety. In one sense the girls in Leslie Manor were well cared for. Their physical and personal welfare were safe in Mrs. Bonnell's hands and the instruction was thorough and excellent. But in the wise development of character, in the trustful, happy confidence which girlhood should know, in the harmony which is girlhood's right, or the harmless frolicing, and healthful bodily development from spontaneous activities, they were sadly lacking. Everything was cut and dried. All things ordered from Miss Woodhull's austere standpoint. No wonder that the school harbored "Pettys" and "Eleanors" and "Electras" and a few other oddities. Until this year it had never sheltered a "Beverly," and this same Beverly was likely to prove, though with no such intention upon her part, its Waterloo. And thus stood affairs that Sunday evening after Beverly's flight, and then from a source least expected Bomb Number 1 was hurled.