"There! wasn't I right?" said Sylvia. "Oh Fanny, do you think she'd mind what we said--and coming from you, too? If she didn't listen to you direct, she certainly won't listen to you crookedwise--that's not Betty." "I was thinking," said Fanny, "that you might persuade her--that is, if you are very, very clever, just from yourselves--not to go. You needn't mention my name at all; and if you really manage this, I can tell you I'll do a wonderful lot for you. I'll get father to send me curious spiders and other creatures, all the way from India, for you. He can if he likes. I will write to him by the very next mail." "Bribes! bribes!" cried Sylvia. "No, Fan, we can't be bribed. Good-bye, Fan. We'll give the message, but she'll go all the same." With a sudden spring, for which Fanny was not prepared, Hester loosened her hand from Fanny's arm. The next minute she had caught Sylvia's hand, and the two were speeding away in the direction of the lower garden and the fascinating company of old Birchall. Fanny could have stamped her foot with rage. The Specialities always met at eight o'clock in the evening. They were expected to wear their pretty evening-dress, and look as much like grown-up young ladies as possible. In a great house like Haddo Court there must be all sorts of rooms, some much bigger than others. Thus, where every room was nice and comfortable, there were a few quite charming. The Vivians had one of the largest rooms, but Margaret Grant had the most beautiful. She had been for long years now in the school, and was therefore accorded many privileges. She had come to Haddo Court as a very little girl, and had worked her way steadily from the lower school to the upper. Her people were exceedingly well-off, and her beautiful room--half bedroom, half sitting-room--was furnished mostly out of her own pocket-money. She took great pride in its arrangements, and on this special evening it looked more attractive than usual. There were great vases of late roses and early chrysanthemums on the different whatnots and small tables. A very cheerful fire blazed in the grate, for it was getting cold enough now to enjoy a fire in the evenings, and Margaret's supper was all that was tasteful and elegant. Betty had received Fanny Crawford's message, and Betty's eyes had sparkled with suppressed fun when her sisters had delivered it to her. She had made no comment of any sort, but had asked the girls, before they got into bed, to help her to fasten on her very prettiest frock. She had not worn this frock before, and the simple, soft, white muslin suited her young face and figure as nothing else could have done. The black ribbon which tied back her thick hair, and was worn in memory of dear Aunt Frances, was also becoming to her; and the twin girls' eyes sparkled with rapture as they looked at their darling. "Good-night, Bet!" said Sylvia. "Have a splendid time, Bet!" whispered Hester. Then Sylvia said, "I am glad you are going!"