"Oh, my dear, isn't it all wonderful? Why you didn't write half of it to me! And I laughed over your little scare of scarlet fever. Louie had a mental attack, I think. She went almost crazy, but I fancy she won't blow on us. It was a silly thing to do, but see here--" and she twisted a ring around her finger. "A diamond, sure enough, but I can't be engaged until I've graduated. It's just awful, and only a little stolen bit in his sister's letters to me. But he thinks he'll plan a way to see me at Easter, even if he has to come here. So the old woman didn't miss it there! And I do wonder how you'll like a sister? You spoiled little midget!" "Oh, we shan't quarrel," with a gay laugh. The carriage had come for them and there were enough farewells to send them off to Europe. "Zay _does_ take it beautifully," said a group of girls. "Lucky that Miss Nevins was all bunged up with a bad toothache and swelled face. She'd counted so much on being in at the feast." The three elders were sitting up for them. "We've just had a gay old time and Rita was the star of the goodly company," exclaimed Zaidee in her merriest tone. "We drank healths enough to sink a ship and Mrs. Barrington was sweetness itself. I'm tired and sleepy, so you won't mind if I run off to bed. And Monday the treadmill of school begins. Only one day of grace!" She kissed her parents, then her sister. Was she beginning to love her? She had been so radiantly sweet tonight. "You _did_ enjoy it?" and the Major pulled Marguerite down on his knee. "Oh, yes, only I didn't like being quite so much of a heroine. But my most ardent admirer was ill in bed, and I was thankful for that." He laughed. How different she was from Zay. Had it been her quiet restricted sphere, her struggle with the life she had known in dreams and the bald every day experiences? Zay laughed at the favors and pleasures showered upon her but she would not have been the bright, merry girl without them. Would the gravity of the one help to tone down the mercurial temperament of the other? Oh, it was so good to have them both! Could he ever be thankful enough? And he forgave the poor woman in her grave. Zaidee chatted awhile with Aunt Kate who fancied she understood all the thoughts of the young girl's heart. It was not strange she should be a little jealous, but she had more gifts to attract the world with, and the pendulum of her parents' love would swing back presently. Then the child said good-night and went to her white bed, but the sleepiness had gone by and she was wondering about herself. Would she come to love this strange sister who had been thrust upon her as it were. Truly, she did not know. If she kept the old love of them all, the first love, no one could quite climb up to that place in their hearts and if Marguerite could be content with the second place--that really was hers, she would be sweet and gracious and share honors with her.