Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustration. See 41326-h.htm or 41326-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41326/41326-h/41326-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/41326/41326-h.zip) THE GIRLS OF ST. WODE'S by MRS. L. T. MEADE Author of "Deb and the Duchess," "A Girl in Ten Thousand," "Good Luck," etc. New York Grosset & Dunlap Publishers CONTENTS CHAPTER I—PREPARING FOR THE YOUNG DÉBUTANTES. CHAPTER II—IN A THIRD-CLASS CARRIAGE. CHAPTER III—THE TORN DRESS. CHAPTER IV—IN THE GIRLS’ BEDROOMS. CHAPTER V—THE MODERN VIEW OF LIFE. CHAPTER VI—BELLE THE SAGE. CHAPTER VII—THE FATE OF THE GIRLS. CHAPTER VIII—THE GILROYS. CHAPTER IX—ONE TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT. CHAPTER X—LLEWELLYN’S GIFT. CHAPTER XI—ST. WODE’S COLLEGE. CHAPTER XII—INKY ANNIE. CHAPTER XIII—A COCOA PARTY. CHAPTER XIV—A COCOA PARTY—CONTINUED. CHAPTER XV—BELLE’S ROOM AT ST. WODE’S. CHAPTER XVI—FRESHERS. CHAPTER XVII—THE “MERRY ALICE.” CHAPTER XVIII—THE GUILD OF ST. ELIZABETH. CHAPTER XIX—THE MAN BY THE RUIN. CHAPTER XX—NOT A BIT LIKE IT. CHAPTER XXI—WHAT IS UP? CHAPTER XXII—THE PROMISE. CHAPTER XXIII—THE PICNIC. CHAPTER XXIV—THE TWINS. CHAPTER XXV—THE PRAYER OF FAITH. CHAPTER XXVI—ANNIE’S REQUEST. CHAPTER XXVII—TELL ME THE TRUTH, LESLIE. CHAPTER XXVIII—RUPERT. CHAPTER XXIX—30 NEWBOLT SQUARE. CHAPTER XXX—ANNIE IN THE TOILS. CHAPTER XXXI—HANDWRITING. CHAPTER XXXII—WHO HAS TAKEN THE KEY? CHAPTER XXXIII—CONFESSION. CHAPTER I PREPARING FOR THE YOUNG DÉBUTANTES. Eileen, Marjorie, and Letitia Chetwynd were expected home from school. It was a bright day early in April, and Mrs. Chetwynd was seated in her luxurious London drawing-room conversing with her special friend, Mrs. Acheson. Two years ago Mrs. Chetwynd, on the death of her husband, a distinguished Indian officer, had returned to England. She was a fashionable, up-to-date-looking lady now. Her widow’s dress was carefully chosen—not too depressing, but all that was correct and proper. Mrs. Acheson, also the widow of an Indian officer, was not fashionable in the ordinary acceptance of the word. She was plainly, even shabbily, dressed. She wore long weepers to her widow’s cap, and her hair was brushed smoothly away from her broad forehead. Her face was large and somewhat sunburnt, her hands well shaped, but with a look about them which showed that they were not unacquainted with manual labor. “Yes,” said Mrs. Chetwynd, uttering a sigh as she spoke, “this is a great day for me. The girls are educated, and are coming home.” “For good?” said Mrs. Acheson.