Grace sprang from her chair and began slipping into her wraps. Emma eyed her moodily, struggling between approval and disapproval, but saying nothing. "Good-bye, dear," called Grace over her shoulder as she hurried out the door. "I'm afraid I'll be late for dinner. Don't wait for me." Outside the house she paused, glanced toward Overton Hall, then set off in the opposite direction toward Miss Wilder's home. "I hope she's at home," was Grace's anxious thought as she rang the bell. "Miss Wilder's in the library, miss. I'll call her," informed the maid. "Come in. It's Miss Harlowe wants to see her, isn't it?" "Yes," Grace smiled in pleasant appreciation of the maid's remembrance of her. "Good evening, Miss Harlowe." Miss Wilder rose to greet her unexpected visitor and offered her a chair. Grace returned the greeting, then seated herself directly opposite the dean. "Miss Wilder, I came to see you," she burst forth, "to ask you if there is--if you could give Miss Ward another chance. She came to me to-night and said that she was to be sent home for what happened last Saturday. I am sorry that she has put herself in such an unpleasant position, but I am more sorry still for her sister, who has made so many sacrifices to give her a college education. I never told you much about Miss Ward, Miss Wilder. Let me tell you now." Miss Wilder listened attentively to Grace's eager outpouring. "Miss Ward's case has not yet been settled," she said slowly. "It rests with me whether she shall remain at Overton. I will think over what you have told me. I am not prepared to give you an answer now. Come to my office at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon and bring Miss Ward with you." "Thank you, Miss Wilder. Good night." Feeling that there was nothing more to be said, Grace rose and held out her hand to the dean. The older woman took the hand in both of hers and looked deep into Grace's honest eyes. "You are a true house mother," she said gently. "I know something of how greatly Miss Ward has tried your patience, and if I do decide to give her an opportunity to begin over again it will be largely because you have asked me." When Grace let herself into Harlowe House a little later a hasty glance into the dining-room revealed the fact that dinner was over. "I'll come down and get mine after awhile," she decided, and ran upstairs to her own room. "Well?" inquired Emma as Grace entered. "Pretty well," retorted Grace. "I won't know positively until to-morrow. Is Miss Ward in her room?" "She is," stated Emma, "and, judging from the sounds, packing is in full swing. I have heard her trunk lid banging frequently and wickedly, and she is opening and shutting the drawers of her chiffonier in an anything but gentle manner." "I must see her," declared Grace. "Then prepare to be greeted with an icy blast," predicted Emma. The next moment found Grace knocking on Evelyn's door.