The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 999, February 18, 1899

Vol. XX.—No. 999.]
FEBRUARY 18, 1899.

“‘GIRLS, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU IF YOU WILL LISTEN.’”
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“Life with its narrow round
Day after day
Widened and perfected
By one sweet ray.”
Next evening the girls were gathered as usual in the small schoolroom. They were allowed an hour to themselves after preparation and before prayers. This was their own hour, and many and various were the occupations and recreations indulged in then. There was a tiny room adjoining the schoolroom, where now and then a studious pupil would go at this hour to continue study. To-night it was occupied by Linnæa alone. Throughout the day her set, white face had kept all at a distance; no one dared address her, indeed, no one had anything to say that would soften the blow of yesterday’s revelation, no excuse to offer, no explanation to make.
The face which had been changing into something almost attractive during the last week, had again undergone a complete change—but was it back to the old indifference? No—something had been aroused that would never again lie dormant—if she could not love, then she would hate, and the glitter in her eyes showed only too plainly that hatred had taken the place of dawning love.
Gwendoline was not of their number that night. She too was changed; so much changed as to be almost unrecognisable. She, the queen of the school, whose will was law, and whose opinion was sought upon every question, had been to-day the quietest and most subdued of them all.