There was gossip and much quiet talk, but Constance Van Gerder's determined stand put an end to open insults and recriminations. Two days later, there was another subject for gossip, also, for Margery Ainsworth had been readmitted to college on "probation." Such a thing had rarely been known before, and the stigma of disgrace attaching to such students as were on "probation" was great. It was understood that they were under special surveillance, and the many privileges accorded other students were withheld from them. Of course, Margery had come back as a freshman. The girls had heard that Mr. Ainsworth was intensely angry with Margery, and had declared that she must stay at Westover until she graduated, if it took a hundred years. She was to room with a freshman, and, judging from her expression, she had come back reluctantly and rebelliously. Dolly and Beth talked it over, and wondered what good end Mr. Ainsworth could hope to effect by sending her to college, when she was in such an obstinate frame of mind. "At least, she has diverted the attention of the girls from Margaret, and, Beth, I like her more than I ever supposed I could. Didn't she preside with dignity at our class meeting last evening, though? No one would ever have guessed how some of the girls stormed at her only a few days ago." "'Tis fortunate that she has Constance Van Gerder as a loyal friend. To tell the truth, I think that she is relieved now. There is nothing for her to hide or cover up. We must see Constance about the class elections, though. They will come in two days, and I am positive that Abby Dunbar will try to prevent Margaret's being elected chairman of the executive committee. That is a position which has always been given to the retiring president, and certainly Margaret has done enough for our class to deserve the honor. It would be a shame to slight her." "Yes, it would. Constance is in her room now, I think, and Margaret will be at the literature lecture. Come, we will see her at once." Constance was very glad to promise her help to the girls, and the work commenced that day in earnest. They soon found that Abby and her particular coterie had been hard at work for some little time, but Margaret's supporters labored with a will, and went to their class meeting with hopeful hearts. "I am anxious about two offices," Dolly confessed to Miss Van Gerder as she walked down the hall toward the room in which the meeting would be held. "I want to see Beth elected president, and I want Margaret made chairman of the executive committee." Some way, rather to their own astonishment, Beth and Dolly found themselves on very intimate terms with Miss Van Gerder. The three, with Margaret, made a very congenial quartette. Mary Sutherland felt at a disadvantage before this girl, whose father's name was a world-wide synonym for wealth. She was never at her best when Constance was present. She utterly refused to go to her room, and Dolly finally lost all patience with her.