“Yes; I was there fourteen months, for finishing. I was among the elders, and she had charge of the small fry; I did not come across her at classes or in school hours, but I used to meet her in passages, and in the boot-room, and sometimes we waltzed together on half holidays. I always liked Maddie.”
“And you left before her?”
“Yes; I left last Christmas three years, after the breaking-up dance. I recollect Maddie played, to save the old skinflints a guinea. But the end of the evening she danced with a man several times, and Miss Selina was furious; I think he admired Madeline, and that was her reason.”
“And what was his name, darling?”
“I really cannot remember. I asked Madeline about him, and she rather snubbed me; but it was something beginning with an N, I think.”
Oh, what a tiresome, stupid creature! “You cannot recollect, darling?”
“No; except that there was an N in his name! I am sure of that.”
“And so Madeline remained on for a year; and did you never hear anything more of the school after you left?”
“Yes; let me see, I did hear something, I may have dreamt it, that some one was expelled.”
“Expelled!” with a slight start. “Dear me, how shocking!”