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Merry had a pretty profile, with the short upper-lip and the graceful appearance of a very high-bred girl. "Do you," said Maggie after a pause, "happen to know Aneta Lysle?" "Why, of course," said Merry. "Do you mean Lady Lysle's niece?" "Yes," replied Maggie. "I don't know her well, but she has stayed here once or twice. Is she a friend of yours, Maggie?"
Talk of your knowing what the poor people in my class go through!" "I don't pretend that I do know, Maggie," said Aneta, who was impressed by the passion and strength of Maggie's words. "I don't pretend it for a moment. The poverty of such lives is to me a sealed book. But forgive me if you are so poor, how could you come here?" "I don't mind your knowing everything now," said Maggie.
There is no season of the year when it is not, in my opinion, more charming than any other place I know." "Is your aunt going to stay there long?" asked Maggie, who felt that she need not say anything further with regard to the delights of Meredith Manor just now. "I cannot tell you," replied Aneta. "She mentioned something rather curious. It is connected with you."
"Well, if you will do all that," continued Aneta, "I think that you will find a new Maggie in the future, one whom you will trust, and and love, as I love her." "My dear girl! as you love Maggie Howland?" Aneta lowered her head for a minute. "It is true I did not love her," she said, "in the past, but I have changed my views. I have been narrow-minded, and small, and silly.
"Until?" said Maggie, her eyes shining and her little face becoming transformed in a minute. "Until I knew what you must have suffered." "You do not mean to say that you love me now?" "I believe," said Aneta, looking fixedly at Maggie, "that I could love you." "Oh!" said Maggie. She snatched her hand away, and, walking to the window, looked out.
Now I do know you, and I see that no girl in the school can be compared to you for nobleness and courage, and just for being downright splendid. But, Aneta, I cannot bear that which is before me." "The fact is," said Aneta, "you are in the midst of a terrible battle, and you mean to give in and turn tail, and let the enemy walk over the field.
Meanwhile Aneta, her heart full of thankfulness, accompanied her aunt to Eaton Square. "I have got what I want," she said, "and dear Maggie is practically saved; and you have done it, auntie. You will feel happier for this to your dying day."
"The best person to see these, as you suggested, Aneta," said Mrs. Ward, "is Sir Charles Lysle. They are really no good to Maggie, but ought to be sold for their utmost value for her benefit. She has many fine points, and considerable strength of character; and if you take her up, dear, I feel certain that she will be saved from all those things which would ruin a nature like hers."
Presently Aneta burst into the room. "My dear child," said her aunt, "what can be wrong? Why have you left school? I do hope no illness has broken out there. It would be very inconvenient for me to have you here at present."
"Ah, good Lucy! thank you, Lucy!" exclaimed Kathleen. "That's right, Lucy! Hurrah for Lucy!" cried several other voices. "No discipline at all to-day," continued Lucy. "School doesn't begin until to-morrow." Cicely was seated near Aneta, with Kathleen O'Donnell at her other side. Just for a minute Aneta's eyes traveled across the table and fixed themselves on Maggie's face.
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