"Do you think," said Fanny, bending towards her, and a queer change coming over her face--"do you think for a single moment that you would be made a Speciality if the girls of this school knew that you had told my father a _lie_? I leave it to your conscience. I will say no more." Fanny walked out of the room, shutting the door carefully behind her. Miss Symes came up presently. It was the custom of St. Cecilia to be particularly kind to the girls who were in disgrace. Often and often this most sweet woman brought them to see the error of their ways. Mrs. Haddo had told her about Betty, and how endearing she had found her, and what a splendid nature she fully believed the girl to possess. But when Miss Symes, full of thoughts for Betty's comfort, entered the room, followed by a servant bringing a little tray of temptingly prepared tea, Betty's look was, to say the least of it, dour; she did not smile, she scarcely looked up, there was no brightness in her eyes, and there were certainly no smiles round her lips. "The tray there, please, Hawkins," said Miss Symes. The woman obeyed and withdrew. "I am glad you have a fire, Betty, dear," said Miss Symes when the two were alone. "Now, you must be really hungry, for you had what I consider only a snatch-dinner. Shall I leave you alone to have your tea in comfort, or would you like me to sit with you for a little?" "Oh, thanks so much!" replied Betty; "but I really would rather be alone. I have a good deal to think over." "I am afraid, my dear child, you are not very well." "On the contrary, I never was better," was Betty's response. "Your headache quite gone?" "Quite," said Betty with an emphatic nod. "Well, dear, I am sorry you have had to undergo this unpleasant time of solitary confinement. But our dear Mrs. Haddo is not really angry; she knows quite well that you did not consider. She takes the deepest interest in you, Betty, my child." "Oh, don't speak of her now, please!" said Betty with a sort of groan. "I would rather be alone." "Haven't you a book of any sort? I will go and fetch one for you; and you can turn on the electric light when it gets dark." "If you have something really interesting--that will make me forget everything in the world except what I am reading--I should like it." Miss Symes went away, and returned in a few minutes with "Treasure Island." Strange as it may seem, Betty had not yet read this wonderful book. Without glancing at the girl, Miss Symes again left the room. In the corridor she met Fanny Crawford. "Fanny," she said, "do you know what is the matter with Betty Vivian?" Fanny smiled. "I have been to see her," she said. "Is she in bad spirits? It didn't occur to me that she was." "Oh, you have been to see her, have you?" "Yes, only a short time ago. She looked very cold when I entered the room; but I took the liberty to light the fire, and sat with her until suddenly she got cross and turned me out. She is a very queer girl is Betty."