Meanwhile a very different scene was being enacted in the Granger PlaceSeminary.
Gwynette Poindexter-Jones occupied the largest and most attractivelyfurnished room on the second floor of the dormitory building, and her twobest friends shared the one adjoining. There was a bath between withdoors opening upon a narrow private corridor.
Gwynette had not liked the room when she first arrived, as it was, shedeclared, too "barnlike" in its barrenness. Miss Granger regretted this,as she assured the daughter of her richest patron, but she really couldnot furnish the rooms to please the young ladies, and there was no otherapartment available at that late period of the term.
The haughty Gwynette had then requested that the furniture in the room beremoved. After this had been done, she brought from her mother's home bythe sea handsome mahogany pieces upholstered in rich blue. There wereportieres and window hangings to match and priceless pictures adorned thewalls. The furnishing in the room of her friends had remained unchangedand was far more appropriate, in that it suggested studiousness ratherthan indolence and luxury.
Gwynette, in a velvet dressing robe of the same rich blue embroideredwith gold in chrysanthemum design, was lying at full length on amany-cushioned lounge, a blue and gold slipper dangling from the toe ofone foot. She was reading a forbidden novel, and eating chocolate creams,when there came a soft tap on the door leading into the main corridor.Gwynette always kept it locked that she need not be surprised by theappearance of Madam Vandeheuton, monitor of the dormitory, or by one ofthe infrequent visits of Miss Granger herself. Sitting erect, the girl'seyes narrowed as she pondered.
Should she keep very still and pretend that she was out, or----
Her thought was interrupted by a low voice calling: "Gwyn, let us in,can't you!" Languidly the girl rose and, after unlocking the door, sheinquired of the two who entered: "What's the idea? You know the doorbetween our rooms is always unlocked. Couldn't you come in that way?"
Beulah Hollingsworth reached down to the little blue velvet stool nearthe couch and helped herself to a chocolate. "Of course we could havecome the usual way, only we were passing through the corridor and so thisdoor was nearer."
"Well, don't do it again. I implore." Gwynette once more stretched atfull length and ease as she remarked indolently, "It's easier for you togo around than for me to get up. Well?"
She looked inquiringly at Patricia Sullivan. "Did you call on the sphynxand get at her secret? Sit down, do! It makes me tired to see youstanding so stiffly as though you had ramrods for backbones."
Both of the girls sat down, one on a Louis XVI chair and the other on oneof recent and more comfortable design. Beulah began--
"Yes, we called and found Clare Tasselwood as uncommunicative as she waswhen we met her in the garden and tried to draw her out."
Patricia continued--
"But I am more than ever convinced that the secretive Clare is thedaughter of a younger son of a noble English family. My theory is thatshe is going to keep quiet about it until the older son dies, and thenthose who befriended her when she was unknown will be honored as herguests when she takes her rightful place."
"Well, I for one shall cultivate her. An invitation to visit the castlehome of Lord Tasselwood would be most welcome to me. You girls may do asyou please about it." Gwynette was again in a sitting posture and sheglanced inquiringly at her companions. They both declared that theywished to be included. "Then, firstly, we must obtain permission to givea spread worthy of her presence, at The Palms, no less, even if it costsour combined allowances for a month."
Then they planned together what they would wear and whom they wouldinvite. "We'll ask my brother to bring down as many cadets as we havegirls," was Gwyn's final decision.
When Clare Tasselwood received the gilt-edged invitation, there was alittle twist to one corner of her month which was her way of smiling whenshe was amused, and cynical. She had overheard a conversation the daythey had met in the garden. "The Lady Clara of Tasselwood Manor acceptswith pleasure," she told her reflection in the mirror.