'So you are going to turn against me, Alice; but that's your way. I shan't stay here.' The retreating figure of the young girl stood out in beautiful distinctness in the pale light; behind her the soft evening swept the sea, effacing with azure the brown sails of the fishing-boats; in front of her the dresses of the girls flitted white through the sombre green of the garden. 'I am sorry,' said Cecilia, 'you spoke to her. She is put out because she didn't get a prize, and Sister Agnes told her that she nearly spoilt the play by the stupid way she played the Princess.' 'She will find that that temper of hers will stand in her way if she doesn't learn to control it,' Violet said; 'but, now she is gone, tell me, Alice, how do you think she played her part? As far as I can judge she didn't seem to put any life into it. You meant the Princess to be a sharp, cunning woman of the world, didn't you?' 'No, not exactly; but I agree with you that Olive didn't put life into it.' 'Well, anyhow, the play was a great success, and you got, dear Alice, the handsomest prize that has ever been given in the school.' 'And how do you think I did the King? Did I make him look like a man? I tried to walk just as Fred Scully does when he goes down to the stables.' 'You did the part very well, May; but I think I should like him to have been more sentimental.' 'I don't think men are sentimental--at least, not as you think they are. I tried to copy Fred Scully.' 'My part was a mere nothing. You must write me a something, Alice, one of these days--a coquettish girl, you know, who could twist a man round her fingers. A lot of _bavardage_ in it.' 'I suppose you'll never be able to speak English again, now you've got the prize for French conversation.' 'Sour grapes! You would like to have got it yourself. I worked hard for it. I was determined to get it, for ma says it is of great advantage in society for a girl to speak French well.' 'Jealous! I should like to know why I should be jealous. Of what? I got all I tried for. Besides, the truth about your French prize is that you may consider yourself very fortunate, for if' (she mentioned the name of one of her schoolfellows) 'hadn't been so shy and timid, you'd have come off second best.' The rudeness of this retort drew a sharp answer from Violet; and then, in turn, but more often simultaneously, the girls discussed the justice of the distribution. The names of an infinite number of girls were mentioned; but when, in the babbling flow of convent-gossip, a favourite nun was spoken of, one of the chatterers would sigh, and for a moment be silent.