Miss Follet was here interrupted by vigorous clapping and bursts of irrepressible laughter, in which even the dignified president joined.

But a tap of the gavel restored order, and Miss Follet was invited to proceed.

“That is all there is to tell,” she replied, “but I want to add, for myself, that I think Miss Minturn is ‘a brick,’ as the boys would put it, and I take off my hat to her”—­turning to Katherine with a low, graceful bow—­“if she will accept the homage from the chief transgressor, who—­to make all possible atonement—­proposes to give the best spread of the season in her honor, in place of the next meeting, if the league will vote me the privilege and she will signify her pardon and approval by shaking hands with me.”

As she concluded she extended her hand to Katherine, who grasped it cordially, amid enthusiastic clapping by the entire audience.

It was some minutes before order could be restored, when the business was transacted and Miss Follet’s proposal to give a spread in Miss Minturn’s honor, two weeks from that night, received a most hearty and unanimous vote.

When the meeting was dismissed it was evident that a decided reaction of feeling had taken place, for Katherine at once became the center of attraction and held a delightful little reception for a while; but this was cut short by the ringing of the retiring bell, and the Junior League dispersed in the happiest frame of mind, all declaring that the “Transcendental Evening” had been the finest of the year.

When Katherine laid her head upon her pillow that night and fell asleep her pulses were beating in joyous rhythm with three beautiful words gleaned from her beloved “Science and Health”—­ “Love is enthroned!  Love is enthroned!” [Footnote:  “Science and Health,” page 454.]

CHAPTER IX.

Katherine makes A demonstration.

From that time on Katherine became conscious of a very different atmosphere, at least when among her own classmates, for, instead of the cold shoulder, averted glances and a general stampede whenever she appeared, she was now cordially received and greeted upon all occasions.

This was more apparent after Miss Follet’s “spread,” two weeks later, and which really proved to be the “finest of the season,” being a “full-dress affair,” when all barriers were swept away during the “jollification” and every vestige of disaffection vanished in company with the bountiful and dainty viands that were literally fit “to set before a king.”

Katherine, being the guest of honor, was toasted and made much of, and her companions found that she could appreciate a frolic as heartily as anyone, and was not behind, either, in making fun for others.

One evening, early in May, shortly after “the spread,” Katherine was diligently studying the morrow’s lessons when a rap sounded on her door, and, upon giving the usual password, Jennie Wild put her curly head inside the room and observed: