"But you won't do anything--anything--to upset the Cardews?" said Isabel. "Upset them!" said Maggie. "Well, yes, I do mean to upset them. I mean to alter their lives; I mean to turn things topsyturvy for them; but I'll manage it in such a fashion that neither you, nor Molly, nor your father, nor your mother, nor anyone will suspect how I have got my way, but get it I will. I thought I'd tell you, that's all. You'd like to have them at school with you, wouldn't you?" "Oh yes, very much indeed," said Molly. "I am not so sure," said Isabel. "It's rather fun coming back to the rectory in the holidays and telling the Cardew girls all about what we do and how we spend our time. There'll be nothing to tell them if we all go to the same school." "Well," said Maggie, "I don't agree with you. I expect, on the contrary, you'll find a vast lot more to talk about. But come, let's hurry now; I want to be introduced to them, for I have no time to lose." Neither Isabel nor Molly could quite make out why they felt a certain depression after Maggie Howland had explained her views. The thought of the possible possession of the bracelets did not greatly elate them. Besides, there was not the most remote chance of even such a fascinating young person as Maggie succeeding in her project. She would meet her match, if not in Mrs. Cardew, then in Mr. Cardew. There was no doubt whatever on that point. But they greatly wished she would not try. They did not want her to upset the placid existence of their young friends. The girls who lived at the Castle, the girls who pursued their sheltered, happy, refined life, were in a manner mysterious and remote to the young Tristrams, and they thought that they would not love them any more if they were brought into closer contact with them. A turn in the avenue now brought the old manor-house into view. Some friends of Mrs. Cardew's had arrived, but there were no other young people to be seen. Cicely and Merry were standing talking to a lady of middle age who had come to pay an afternoon call, when Cicely found herself changing color and glancing eagerly at Merry. "Oh, will you excuse me?" she said in her pretty, refined voice. "Our special friends the Tristrams, the rector's daughters, and a friend of theirs, a Miss Howland, are coming up the avenue." "Certainly, my dear," said Lady Lysle; and Cicely and Merry were off down the avenue like arrows from the bow to meet their friends. Lady Lysle watched the two girls, and then turned to speak to Mrs. Cardew. "What name was that I heard Cicely say?" was her remark. "Of course I know the Tristrams, but who was the girl who was with them?" "A special friend of theirs, a Miss Howland. She has been their school companion abroad. She is staying with them at the rectory. Why, what is the matter, Lady Lysle? Do you know anything about her?"