Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the cloister.djvu/88

 to the right of the entrance. Its windows looked into the street. There was Grace's carriage driving up, and I saw her get out. Then the coachman drove off, and I knew he was going round to the other entrance in the next block. I slipped back and waited for Grace in the inner corridor, beyond the swinging doors. I heard the bell ring and the big key turn, and the little portress gurgle in her glee at seeing Grace. She likes my big sister; every one does. Then Grace told the portress she would go and find me, and she came swinging along the hall in a very debonair fashion, but when I met her she looked frightened. She said: "You monkey, I'm afraid you're making a lot of trouble for us all." She hadn't time to say more, for I pulled her into the music-room, and there was Sister Chrysostom, and Grace became the woman of the world at once. Mrs. Verbeck is famous for her charming manner, and I was proud of her when I introduced her, but I was proud of Sister Chrysostom, too. They were both as polished as ivory balls, and they deserved credit, for in their hearts they were scared to death.

We helped Sister Chrysostom into the street things, and then I sallied forth to look over the field. I never had such an exciting time in my life, and I believe I would have