"No, no," said Mabel, "you needn't; I understand you. I don't expect I shall be as happy as I thought, even if I have my year of liberty; but still, I suppose I must make the best of a bad bargain, and of course I should like to have you with me in Paris." "It will be necessary for you to have me with you, if you are to manage the money for the two remaining terms," said Annie. "Very well; I will agree, I will agree." "You promise that I shall spend the holidays with you?" "Yes; that is, after the first week or so. I must have at least a week to get round Aunt Henrietta." "Oh, I will give you a week, my dear; for I also must have that week to get round Uncle Maurice. Now then, all is right. Give me a kiss, dear; we shall have fun! You will never regret this night, I can tell you, Mabel." "I hope I sha'n't. I do feel mean and small at present. But what about the note to Mrs Priestley? What am I to say?" "Dear, dear," said Annie, who was now in the highest spirits, "what it is to have brains! Come and sit in this corner, over here. Now I will light the candle for you; no one can see any light under the door. Here we are: and here's our little candle doing its duty." As Annie spoke she swiftly struck a match. "Here is your sheet of paper, Mabel; and here is your pen. And now I will dictate the note. Write what I say." Mabel began: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "`Dear Mrs Priestley,--My friend Annie Brooke is taking this letter to you. The business is of great importance, and she will explain and make the necessary terms. I want you to lend me thirty pounds, please. Annie will arrange the terms; and I want you, please, not to tell anybody. You know Annie Brooke--she is my greatest friend. Aunt Henrietta will want me to have a specially beautiful dress to wear at the break-up, for I expect to take a most distinguished position there.'" "Oh, must I put that in?" said Mabel. "You must put what I tell you," answered Annie. "Go on. Have you written `distinguished position'?" "Yes--oh yes. This letter sounds perfectly horrid, and not a bit like me." "It will soon be finished now," said Annie. "Come, Mabel; you _are_ chicken-hearted. You most pay something for your thirty pounds, you know." "Yes; but how on earth am I to return it to her?" "I'll manage that, goosey, goosey. Now then, proceed. "`I will call on you to-morrow in order to choose the dress. It must be very rich indeed, and with real lace on it. My aunt would wish me to look well dressed on the prize day.--Yours, Mabel Lushington.' "Now, the date, please," said Annie. Mabel inserted it. "Fold it up, please, and direct this envelope," continued practical Annie. This was done and the letter slipped into Annie's pocket. She then, to Mabel's surprise, put another sheet of paper before that young lady. "What does this mean?" said Mabel. "You will write these words, please, Mabel: