the dancing was to begin, and last till half-past nine, and then supper was to follow. This was all planned beforehand, that no time might be wasted when the little guests arrived.

When five o'clock came, Amy, Milly, Eva, and Jamie were all dressed and waiting to receive their friends. They had not to wait very long, for the children arrived very punctually, so they were able to have tea at half-past five as they had intended.

Milly and Amy both looked forward to the dancing more than anything else, so they were glad when they saw the chairs put aside, and Mrs. Ferrar sat down to play the first polka.

Milly soon made fast friends with a little girl called Elsie, who was about her own age. She was Amy's greatest friend, and Amy looked a little jealous at seeing her so much with Milly.

'Are you not fond of your cousin Amy?' asked Elsie, as they seated themselves in a corner of the room, to rest between the dances.

'Yes, I like her very much,' answered Milly. 'We are nearly the same age, you know; I was eleven the month before last, and she is eleven to-day.'

'How pretty she looks, now that she is dancing,' said Elsie, 'don't you think so?'

'Yes, she does,' answered Milly, 'but I think that she is rather conceited, because she knows that she is pretty.'

'I never noticed it before,' replied Elsie, 'perhaps she is, a little, for several people say that she is; so I suppose it is true. Doesn't she look happy now?'

'Do you mind telling me how old you are?' asked Milly; 'I think you are older than I am.' Elsie laughed, and answered that she was a little older, for she was twelve.

Just then Amy interrupted them by asking them to come and have another dance.

'I can't think how you can sit still and look on,' she said; I have not stopped dancing once this evening, and I do not mean to, if I can help it.'

'We enjoy the dancing all the more if we have a little rest between,' answered Elsie, as she got up to take her place in the dance.

After this they went up-stairs to supper, and then the children went home.

Amy owned herself rather tired when they were all gone, as she had been busy and excited all

day, and danced all the evening; so she was glad to go to bed.

Milly and Amy were no sooner alone together than they began to talk about everything that had passed during the evening, and then Amy said,—'I have enjoyed it so much; I hope you have, too, Milly?'

'Yes, I have, very much;' answered Milly, 'but I think your dear friend Elsie was rather disappointed, because you did not take more notice of her, for she looked quite vexed.'

'Did she really?' said Amy. 'I'm so sorry. Dear Elsie! she very seldom looks vexed or cross at all.'

'Well, she must have been so to-night then,' continued Milly, 'because she said you looked very conceited, and that she had heard lots of people say the same.'

'Oh, how very unkind of her! What could have made her say so?' exclaimed Amy. 'I won't speak to her, if she says such things of me behind my back. I thought she was my friend, but she can't be a true one, if she does that. Good-night, Milly; I am too tired to talk any more, but I feel very angry with Elsie.'

M

CHAPTER III.

A MIDGE'S WING.

ILLY! do come out with me in the garden for a minute or two,' said Elsie the next day, when she came to spend the morning with Amy, as she very often did.

'Ah, I see,' thought Amy, that Elsie only cares for Milly now. She has quite given me up.'

'Do you know, Milly, what is the matter with Amy this morning?' said Elsie, 'she will hardly speak to me, and when I kissed her, and said good-morning to her, she only put up her cheek, and was so cold.'

'Ah, yes, I think I know,' answered Milly; 'she is jealous because she saw you sitting so much with me last night. She said afterwards

that she thought you were very unkind to her, and not a bit like a friend.'

'I don't believe it,' said Elsie, 'I do not think Amy is ever jealous.'

'Well, that is what she said,' replied Milly; ' and didn't you see her face when you asked me to come out and speak to you just now? It was so black !'

'Do let us go in, then,' said Elsie, 'because I do not want to tease her.'

'I do not see much good in going in,' replied Milly, because Amy will not speak to you if you do.'

'How silly of her! I shall give her a shaking and make her kiss me,' said Elsie.

'Well, you can but try, I suppose,' answered Milly.

Elsie ran into the room, and threw her arms round Amy's neck, but to her surprise Amy pushed her away, saying that she did not want any'sham love.'

Elsie felt ready to cry, for she really loved Amy very much. She did not stay to have dinner with Amy, because she was not asked, and she felt that she was not wanted, so she