been the boys, now, it would not have surprised Aunt Mary—of course not, she was prepared for anything from those boys, in whose improvement she now declined to believe; but the twins!

Even Mrs Morton was sorry to have come upon them so unexpectedly, for she had forgotten that she had given leave for a final game of some description; and now, only giving time for a hasty greeting, she led Aunt Mary away from the theatrical party, desiring Eric in an undertone to have the gas turned up and the room tidied quickly, as their tea was ready in the back room.

Much relieved by the departure of Aunt Mary's spectacles, which had gleamed so ferociously in the dim light, the spirits of the young actors revived, and they set to work with a will-tearing off all the finery they had dressed up in. But then the carpet! all over bits of paper, it presented a woful appearance. None of the party were very expert; but Thomas and the house-maid arrived, and took possession of the dining-room, with certain grim remarks to each other and at the children about the extra trouble entailed on them; and just then Colonel Morton's sharp ring was heard at the door, and the young party rushed off to tea, determining not to appear again in public until after dinner, when, as Eric observed, they would all "behave prettily," and remove as far as possible the effects of the shock Aunt Mary had received.

During the evening this excellent conduct restored

their aunt's serenity, and she was heard to remark that the boys were fine boys, and the girls very quiet, nice children; and next morning she performed an action which showed, as Eric remarked gravely, that there was a great deal of real good in his great-aunt. What do you think she did? She gave half a sovereign to each of the five children, which was really a substantial tip with which to commence once more, in the case of all but Gerty, their school career.

CHAPTER IX.

BACK AT SCHOOL-CLARA COGAN'S UNCLE.

THE first unpleasantness of school life, as compared with home, was beginning to wear off. Daisy and Lily were once more getting used to the absence of hot water in the morning, and the disagreeables of occupying a room which held two other beds besides their own. The two rose trees had been brought back, although Uncle Gerald had said he thought it very trying to the constitution of the summer rose to be dragged about in mid-winter.

All the girls had much to say about their holidays, and Clara Cogan, having nothing to relate at present, did not join the school circle so frequently as of old. One little girl, the inquisitive Louie of whom we have spoken, said to Clara

"Who was it came to see you in the holidays? Ann said it was your uncle, and that he was so like you, and had such red cheeks!"

Miss Cogan's cheeks were certainly very red indeed, as she tossed her head, and walked out of the room, mumbling—

"I never saw such gossips as you are-servants and all!"

"That's polite!" said Nelly Parker, opening wide her saucy blue eyes.

"Why should she mind having a visit from an uncle?" wondered Lily aloud.

"I don't know, dear," said Flora, gathering together her pencils, for it was nearly time for her drawing lesson, "but she seems easily annoyed-we had better not discuss her affairs."

"I wonder if her uncle is a robber, or anything of that sort," said Louie, reflectively. The other children laughed; but Miss Walker quietly recommended Louie not to pursue a subject that appeared disagreeable, and reminded her of a lesson which must be prepared at once. So before the governess no more was said; but school is a little world where small matters are long pondered over, and I am sorry to say Louie and Nelly, who had many recollections of Clara Cogan's pride and carelessness of others, were never tired of wondering and plotting to discover something about this uncle whose name was not to be mentioned. These two children tried to interest Daisy and Lily in their plans; but the twins had always been taught by their mother to check idle curiosity, and so would have nothing to do with the efforts of their schoolfellows to obtain information. They could not help wondering, however, why Clara had suddenly become so averse to remaining at Mrs Norris's, nor why she should have written to beg her father to take her away.

She was still the honoured parlour-boarder, and her position in the house unaltered; but she had confided. to Flora, in a discontented, brooding sort of way, that she was sick of the place, and hoped pa would write and say she might go to Paris to school!

One day, after they had all been settled down at work for more than a month, and it seemed almost as if there had been no holidays, everyone looked so much the same as ever, the girls were dressed and marshalled ready for a walk, and were awaiting Miss Walker in the hall. The door bell rang, and the servant passed the girls to open the door. A man's voice inquired for "Miss Cogan," and with an excited whisper of "that's her uncle!" Louie and Nelly leant forward to see the visitor as he was ushered towards the drawing-room.

Flora started back, for the rosy