[Illustration:  “I Am Sorry That We Have Failed to Come to an Understanding.”]

“Very well,” said Grace composedly.  “I see that I shall have to go to each member of the sophomore class in turn in order to find out the truth.  I cannot believe that these girls are so lacking in college spirit as to ostracize a newcomer, even though she did act unwisely.”

“You would not dare to do it!” exclaimed Mary Hampton excitedly.  She had hitherto taken no part in the conversation.

“Why not?” asked Grace.  “I am determined to go to the root of this matter.  I don’t intend Miss Briggs shall leave college, or be sent to coventry either.  She has acted hastily, but she will live it down, that is, unless word of it has traveled too far.  Even so, I hardly think she will leave college.  I am sorry that we have failed to come to an understanding.”

Grace walked proudly toward the door.  Inwardly she was deeply disappointed at having failed, but she gave no sign of feeling her defeat.

“Come back!” commanded Alberta Wicks harshly, as Grace stood with her hand on the door knob.  Grace turned and walked toward them.  Her face gave no sign of her surprise.

“Do you really intend to take up this affair with every member of the sophomore class?” demanded Alberta, eyeing Grace sharply.  There was a faint note of dismay in her voice, despite her attempt to appear unconcerned.

“Yes,” answered Grace firmly.  “The only alternative would be to take it to the faculty, and that is not to be thought of.  I shall make a personal appeal to each sophomore for Miss Briggs.”

“Then I suppose rather than bring down a hornet’s nest about our ears, we might as well tell you that the majority of the class know nothing of this.  A number of sophomores, with a view to the good of the college, decided themselves to be justified in sending the letter to Miss Briggs.  We do not wish young women of her type at Overton, and Miss Briggs will do well to go elsewhere.  She will never be happy at Overton.”

“Is that a threat?” asked Grace quickly.

Alberta merely shrugged her shoulders in answer to Grace’s question.

“You may call it what you please,” remarked Mary Hampton sullenly.

“Thank you,” said Grace gravely.  “I think I have a fair idea of the situation.  I believe I know too, just how many sophomores were concerned in the writing of the letter, and am sure that their adverse opinion will neither make nor mar Miss Briggs.  Good afternoon.”

With this Grace walked serenely out of the house, leaving behind her two discomfited and ignominiously defeated young women.

“Do you believe she would have kept her word and put the matter before the class?” asked Mary Hampton after Grace had gone.

“Yes,” responded Alberta, frowning.  “She wouldn’t have hesitated.  She meant what she said.  She is one of those tiresome persons who is forever advocating fair play.  She only does it as a pose.  She imagines, I suppose that it will attract the attention of the upper class girls.  I should like to teach her a lesson in humility, but it is dangerous, for with all her faults she is by no means stupid, and unless we were very careful we would be quite likely to come to grief.”