"Oh no, indeed they are not!" said Isabel stanchly. "Merry has a great deal in her, and Cicely is so nice-looking! We think she will be beautiful by-and-by; but Merry undoubtedly has the most character. Then there is something dignified and aristocratic about them, and yet they are not really proud, although they might be, for they are so rich, and Meredith Manor is such a wonderful old house." "Didn't you tell me," said Maggie, "that Meredith Manor belonged to Mrs. Cardew?" "Did I?" said Isabel, coloring in some confusion. "I am sure I don't know; I don't remember saying it. I don't think Mrs. Cardew is the sort of woman who would call anything hers apart from her husband. She is devoted to him, and no wonder, for he is quite charming. He is nearly as charming as father, and that's saying a great deal." "Do let's come on. We'll be late!" said Molly impatiently. "No, not quite yet, please," said Maggie. "I want to understand the position. Mrs. Cardew was a Miss Meredith?" "Yes, dear Maggie; but what does that matter?" "And," continued Maggie, "she was the heiress of Meredith Manor?" "I suppose so. Father can tell you exactly." "Oh, I don't want to question him, but I want to get my bearings. On the mother's side, the Cardew girls belong to the country. Isn't that so?" "Yes, yes, yes. Do come on." "But their father," continued Maggie, "he is in trade, isn't he?" "He's a perfect gentleman," said Isabel stoutly; "no one looks down on trade in these days." "Of course not. I adore trade myself," said Maggie. She now proceeded to walk very slowly up the avenue. She was evidently thinking hard. After a time she said, "I mean to get those girls to come to school with you, Molly, and with you, Isabel, in September." Both the Tristrams burst into a peal of merry laughter. "Oh Mags!" they cried, "we never did think before that you were conceited. You certainly overrate even your powers when you imagine that you will get Mr. Cardew to change his mind." "What do you mean by his changing his mind?" "Why, this," said Belle. "He has set his face from the very first against his girls leaving home. He wishes them to have a home education, and that alone." "Oh, that is all right," said Maggie cheerfully. "Well, what will you bet, girls, that I have my way?" "We don't want you to lose, Maggie; but you certainly will not get your way in this particular." "Well, now, I am going to be generous. I am not rich; but I have got two gold bracelets at home, and I will give one to each of you for your very own if I succeed in bringing Cicely and Merry Cardew to Mrs. Ward's school." "Oh! oh!" exclaimed both the Tristram girls. "You'll get your bracelets," said Maggie in a most confident tone, "and I can assure you they are beauties; my darling father brought them from India years and years ago. He brought a lot of jewels for mother and me, and I will get the bracelets for you--one each--if I succeed; but you must allow me to manage things my own way."