While Sibyl was thus engaged, seeing pictures in the fire and smiling quietly to herself, she suddenly heard a light tap at her room door. She started to her feet, and the next minute she had flown across the room and opened the door. Fanny stood without. "Oh, you dear, darling Fan!" exclaimed Sibyl. "You are good! Come in--do come in! Is the meeting over? And--and--oh, Fanny! what have they said? Has my name been put to the vote? Of course you and Martha would be on my side, and you and Martha are so strong that you would carry the rest of the members with you. Fan, am I to have a copy of the rules? And--and--oh, Fan! is it settled? Do--do tell me!" "I wish you weren't quite so excited, Sibyl! Let me sit down; I have a bad headache." Fanny sank languidly into the chair which Sibyl herself had been occupying. There was only one easy-chair in this tiny room. Sibyl had, therefore, to draw forward a hard and high one for herself. But she was far too excited to mind this at the present moment. "And what a fearful blaze of light you have!" continued Fanny, looking round fretfully. "Don't you know, Sibyl, that, unless we are occupied over our studies, we are not allowed to turn on such a lot of light? Here, let me put the room in shadow." "Let's have firelight only," laughed Sibyl, who was not quick at guessing things, and felt absolute confidence in Fanny's powers. The next instant she had switched off the light and was kneeling by Fanny's side. "Now, Fanny--now, do put me out of suspense!" "I will," said Fanny. "I have come here for the purpose. I did what I could for you, Sib. You must bear your disappointment as best you can. I am truly sorry for you, but things can't be helped." "You are truly sorry for me--and--and--things can't be helped!" exclaimed Sibyl, amazement in her voice. "What do you mean?" "Well, they won't have you at any price as a member of the Specialities; and the person who spoke most strongly against you was your dear and special friend, Martha West. I am not at liberty to quote a single word of what she did say; but you are not to be a Speciality--at least, not for a year. If at the end of a year you have done something wonderful--the sort of thing which you, poor Sibyl, could never possibly do--the matter may be brought up again for reconsideration. As things stand, you are not to be elected; so the sooner you put the matter out of your head the better." Sibyl turned very white. Then her face became suffused with small patches of vivid color. Fanny was not looking at her; had she looked she might have perceived that Sibyl's expression was anything but amiable at that moment. The girl's extraordinary silence, however--the absence of all remark--the absence, even, of any expression of sorrow--presently caused Fanny to glance round at her. "Well," she said, "I thought I'd tell you at once. You must put it out of your head. I think I will go to bed now. Good-night, Sibyl. Sorry I couldn't do more for you."