Prissie answered in a sedate voice.  Mrs. Marshall had a very gentle manner.  Prissie began to lose her shyness; she almost imagined that she was back again with Aunt Raby.

“My dear, you will like us all very much,” the old lady said.  “No life can be so absolutely delightful as that of a girl graduate at St. Benet’s.  The freedom from care, the mixture of study with play, the pleasant social life, all combine to make young women both healthy and wise.  Ah, my love, we leave out the middle of the old proverb.  The girls at St. Benet’s are in that happy period of existence when they need give no thought to money-making.”

“Some are,” said Prissie.  She sighed and the color rushed into her cheeks.  Mrs. Marshall looked at her affectionately.

“Helen,” she called to her granddaughter who was standing near, “bring Miss Peel another cup of tea—­ and some cake, Helen—­ some of that nice cake you made yesterday.  Now, my love, I insist.  You don’t look at all strong.  You really must eat plenty.”

Helen Marshall supplied Prissie’s wants, was introduced to her, and, standing near, joined in the talk.

“I am so glad you know Miss Oliphant,” said Mrs. Marshall.  “She will make a delightful friend for you.”

“And isn’t she lovely?” said Helen Marshall.  “I don’t think I know any one with such a beautiful face.  You ought to be very proud to have her as a friend.  Aren’t you very proud?”

“No,” said Prissie, “I don’t know that I am.  I am not even sure that she is my friend.”

“Of course she is—­ she wrote most affectionately of you to grandmother.  You can’t think how nicely she spoke.  We were glad, we were delighted, because Maggie—­ dear Maggie—­ has had no great friends lately.  Now, if you have had your tea, Miss Peel, I’ll take you about the room and introduce you to one or two people.”

Priscilla rose from her seat at once, and the two girls began to move about the crowded drawing-room.  Helen Marshall was very slight and graceful; she piloted Prissie here and there without disturbing any one’s arrangements.  At last the two girls found themselves in an immense conservatory, which opened into the drawing-room at one end.

A great many of the guests were strolling about here.  Priscilla’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the lovely flowers.  She forgot herself and made eager exclamations of ecstasy.  Helen, who up to now had thought her a dull sort of girl, began to take an interest in her.

“I’ll take you into our fern-house, which is just beyond here,” she said.  “We have got such exquisite maidenhairs and such a splendid Killarney fern.  Come; you shall see.”

The fern-house seemed to be deserted.  Helen opened the door first and ran forward.  Prissie followed.  The fern-house was not large; they had almost reached the end when a girl stood up suddenly and confronted them.  The girl was Maggie Oliphant.  She was sitting there alone.  Her face was absolutely colorless and tears were lying wet on her eyelashes.