"Yes, it will; it will break your father's heart. There are no people so proud as the Irish. They can stand a good deal; but any cloud on their honor----" "Ah, you are right," cried Kitty, standing still, and a queer change coming over her face. "Our honor--no one ever touched that yet." "It will have a nice blow when you are dismissed from Middleton School," said Miss Worrick, glad to find a point in Kitty's hitherto invulnerable armor. "Come with me at once, you bad girl. I must explain your conduct to Miss Sherrard." "I have something on my own account to say to Miss Sherrard," answered Kitty in a proud voice; "something which will explain a good deal." "I am glad to hear it; but I scarcely think any words of yours can remove the stigma on your character. But come; I have no time to argue with you further." Miss Worrick now led the way into Miss Sherrard's little sitting-room. Miss Sherrard was standing near the window; she turned quickly when she saw Miss Worrick, and a displeased and withal a troubled glance filled her eyes as they rested upon Kitty." "Anything fresh?" she said, turning to the teacher with a weary expression in her voice. "Only just what I expected," said Miss Worrick with bitterness. "Kitty Malone is not to be trusted. Yesterday she gave her word of honor----" "I didn't," interrupted Kitty. "Kitty my dear, allow your teacher to speak." "She gave her word of honor, or equivalent to it, that she would submit to the punishment which you rightly inflicted upon her. Well, I found her just now in the act of smuggling a note into Elma Lewis' hand." "Oh, but this is very bad, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Did you not know what your word of honor meant?" "I never promised anything," replied Kitty. "You spoke; but I was silent." "Pardon me, my dear; that is begging the question. You were told that you were not to communicate with any of your fellow-pupils. Your silence signified consent. Kitty, I am ashamed of you." "As you know so much you may as well know all," said Kitty, desperation in her tone. "I did far worse than you think. Last night I went out again after dark by myself to see Elma Lewis. I had an interview with her. I talked to her, and she talked to me. That was not exactly her fault; for I forced her to speak. Now, you know how very bad I am. Expel me if you wish. I know you will after this. I am in dreadful disgrace. I only wish I were dead." "Leave us, Miss Worrick," said Miss Sherrard. The door was closed behind the governess; and the head-mistress, taking one of Kitty's cold hands, led her to a seat near herself on the sofa. "There is more behind," she said. "Kitty, you must tell me the truth." "I long to tell you," answered Kitty. "A short time back I had made up my mind to conceal it because the telling would make another girl miserable--miserable for life. Now my feelings are changed."