The principal of Hilton Seminary was a distinguished-appearing gentleman of fifty years, possessing a strong, intellectual, yet refined face, whose chief charm was a pair of large, expressive blue-gray eyes that could be most winningly kind, or most coldly and blightingly stern, as the case might be.

“Be seated, Miss Minturn,” he courteously commanded, as Miss Reynolds excused herself and withdrew, and indicating a chair near the table by which he had been sitting when she entered.

Katherine obeyed, feeling strongly attracted to the man by his genial manner, even though she knew that his keen but friendly eyes were intent upon reading what lay beneath her exterior.

“I suppose you feel that you have had rather a hard day,” he continued, glancing significantly at some closely written sheets which he had evidently been looking over when she entered, and which she instantly recognized as her examination papers.

“Not at all,” she quietly returned, lifting her clear eyes to him, and he marveled at the unclouded serenity in their pure depths.

“Indeed!” and he could not quite conceal his surprise.  “It is a rare event for a young lady to make such an admission after a rigid ordeal like what you have sustained this afternoon.  However, I am happy to inform you that you are unconditionally admitted to the junior class; your papers do you great credit, Miss Minturn.  I had not expected quite so much from you, as you had told me that you left school last year, a sophomore, and have been traveling abroad until recently.  I feared we might have to ask you to review a little, for it is rather unusual for a pupil to enter an advanced class in the middle of the year.”

“But I have not been idle since leaving school,” Katherine replied, a happy gleam in her eyes, for his commendation was very gratifying to her; “although we were abroad for several months, we were often located in some place for weeks at a time, and mamma, having once been a teacher at Vassar, coached me for the junior class.”

“Ah! that explains your proficiency.  How convenient to have an ex-Vassar in the family!” Prof.  Seabrook smilingly observed.  “All the same, I am sure the daughter deserves some commendation for work conscientiously done.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Katherine, a flush of pleasure tingeing her cheeks.

The principal then proceeded to give her some information regarding her classes and the ground to be covered in her various studies during the coming term, after which he asked some questions as to her recent travels, whereupon they fell into a pleasant chat about points of interest which both had visited, and thus a delightful half hour slipped away.  At length Prof.  Seabrook referred to a book that lay on the table beside him, and observed: 

“I find, Miss Minturn, that you are to room with Miss Sadie Minot, a young lady from Atlanta, Georgia, and I think you will find her an agreeable companion.  However”—­with a humorous twinkle in his eyes—­“to use a homely proverb, ‘it is Hobson’s choice,’ for it happens to be the only vacancy in the building; we have a very full school this year.  I will call some one to show you how to find it, and have your trunk sent up later.”