One afternoon Miss Berwick’s grandmamma and Mrs. Leach remained at home, had tea together, and talked Miss West over in her own sitting-room. Lady Fitzsandy liked Miss West, and sang her praises in a mild key; ditto Mrs. Leach, in a yet louder strain, with one occasional piercing high note--that note a “but.” “But she is wildly extravagant; but she is wonderful, considering her antecedents; but she cannot live without excitement; but she is uncertain in her friendships.” _But_ Lady Fitzsandy was staunch, and said, “I must say that, as far as I can judge, Miss West is true to old friends. She is very much attached to Nina.” Mrs. Leach, on her own part, professed a rival attachment for Miss Berwick, gave her autographs--which she was collecting--also a box of pralines, and took her arm round the gardens once, treated her to coffee at the Casino, and there pumped her to the best of her ability. “And so Madeline was only a pupil-teacher when you were at school, you tell me, dear?” “Yes; I was there fourteen months, for finishing. I was among the elders, and she had charge of the small fry; I did not come across her at classes or in school hours, but I used to meet her in passages, and in the boot-room, and sometimes we waltzed together on half holidays. I always liked Maddie.” “And you left before her?” “Yes; I left last Christmas three years, after the breaking-up dance. I recollect Maddie played, to save the old skinflints a guinea. But the end of the evening she danced with a man several times, and Miss Selina was furious; I think he admired Madeline, and that was her reason.” “And what was his name, darling?” “I really cannot remember. I asked Madeline about him, and she rather snubbed me; but it was something beginning with an N, I think.” Oh, what a tiresome, stupid creature! “You cannot recollect, darling?” “No; except that there was an N in his name! I am sure of that.” “And so Madeline remained on for a year; and did you never hear _anything_ more of the school after you left?” “Yes; let me see, I did hear something, I may have dreamt it, that some one was expelled.” “Expelled!” with a slight start. “Dear me, how shocking!” “I cannot recollect, but I am sure it was not Madeline. She was not that sort of girl; and I may have read it in a book. I get so mixed between what I have heard and what I have read about; but I am awfully absent and dreamy.” “Have you kept up a correspondence with any of your school-fellows?” “Oh no! I hate letter-writing; and I detested school. But I always liked Maddie West. She was so pretty to look at, so pleasant to talk to, so good-natured. And she is not a bit changed. She is a dear.” “There never was any--you never heard of _her_ getting into any scrape at school, did you?” “Oh no; what a funny idea--a scrape! Why, Maddie was as strict about the rules as the Harpies themselves!” “And this gentleman that admired her?”