At that moment, Robina got up and left the room. Harriet sank down in a chair. She was trembling with suppressed passion. "I wonder," she said, after a pause, "why you all dislike me as you do. Of course," she added, "there can be but one explanation, and that is, jealousy." "Not at all," said Patience. "As a matter of fact, I don't believe there is a girl amongst us who would change with you; for to change with you, Harriet Lane, would be to possess your nature, and that is what none of us wish for. But we are quite determined to see justice done to Ralph." "Justice done to Ralph?" said Harriet. "Yes: and to Robina. We know what has happened to-night, for Robina told us." "Oh, she told you!" said Harriet. "That is so like her." "Yes; she said she was not going to compete. Now, she must have a reason for that, and Frederica and I and Rose and Cecil and Vivian are all absolutely resolved to find out what that reason is. We have been invited to this house and have been given this happy time, because in a sort of way we also are Ralph's school-mothers. You expect a great triumph in the morning, Harriet. Well all I can say is this: look out for storms." "It is that horrid, horrid Robina! There is no spiteful thing she would not do against me," said Harriet. "But Ralph loves me best. I don't pretend that I don't want the post: I do want it. I haven't a happy home like most of you: and to be Ralph's school-mother, and to live here would be of great moment to me. It would mean all my future being assured. You can't think what it would mean; for you don't any of you know what it is to be--oh--poor!" Harriet's face turned very pale. "Ralph does love me, and why should not he? and if Mr Durrant is contented to choose me, and Robina doesn't want to be school-mother--" "Robina doesn't want to be school-mother!" interrupted Patience. "You are either a goose or a liar, Harriet; for you know that in her heart of hearts, Robina is dying to be school-mother to little Ralph--and not for your horrid worldly reasons, but because she--she loves him! Oh, we did think that you repented that time at school, but your conduct since you came here has puzzled us dreadfully." Harriet, however, had now recovered herself. This attack on the part of her school-fellows was unexpected, and at first she was almost thrown off her usual balance of mind. Her customary self-possession very nearly deserted her, but now she recovered it.