know whether she has changed for the worse since."

"Mary is never naughty now," said Dolly. "Kate and I are naughty,
and it's very much better fun than being good."

"The world has found out that long ago, Miss Dolly; only the world
is not quite so candid in owning it as you are. Will you come and
walk round the house, Miss Masters? I never go in, but I have no
scruples about the paths and park."

At the end of the bridge leading into the shrubbery there was a
stile, high indeed, but made commodiously with steps, almost like a
double stair case, so that ladies could pass it without trouble.
Mary had given her assent to the proposed walk, and was in the act
of putting out her hand to be helped over the stile, when Mr.
Twentyman appeared at the other side of it.

"If here isn't Larry!" said Kate.

Morton's face turned as black as thunder, but he immediately went
back across the bridge, leading Mary with him. The other girls, who
had followed him on to the bridge, had of course to go back also.

Mary was made very unhappy by the meeting. Mr. Morton would of
course think that it had been planned, whereas by Mary herself it
had been altogether unexpected. Kate, when the bridge was free,
rushed over it and whispered something to Larry. The meeting had
indeed been planned between her and Dolly and the lover, and this
special walk had been taken at the request of the two younger
girls.