And the Linnæa that went to India at the end of that time was very different from the one that would have gone had the hidden love in her nature not been called forth by Gwendoline. Sometimes her schoolfellows and teachers had hard work to believe she could be the same person. She would never be what the world calls beautiful, but there was a sweet, refined expression about the face which now attracted, where formerly it had repelled.
Linnæa, as I say, was improved beyond recognition; but Gwendoline also was altered, and entirely for the better. Her will—strong as ever—was exerted in a quieter and less arbitrary manner than formerly. Her influence was still as great over those with whom she came in contact; but she had had a lesson she would not easily forget, and the girl who had been in danger of growing up a heartless and cruel flirt, ambitious to draw men to her feet and wreck their happiness, developed into a pure and noble woman whose powers of fascination were only used to influence others for good, and to induce those of weaker will to follow in her footsteps.
The rare friendship, begun in such an extraordinary way, did not end with school life, but continued, beautifying and enriching the lives of both throughout well-nigh fifty years.
Frances Leamington.
[A DREAM OF FAIR SERVICE.]
By C. A. MACIRONE.
CHAPTER II.
DOMESTIC SERVICE.
