or disadvantages when compared with those in which
working-folk's children had hitherto been taught. Clara went to a Church school,
and the expense was greater than the new system rendered necessary. Her father's
principles naturally favoured education on an independent basis, but a prejudice
then (and still) common among workpeople of decent habits made him hesitate
about sending his girl to sit side by side with the children of the street; and
he was confirmed by Clara's own view of the matter. She spoke with much contempt
of Board schools, and gave it to be understood that her religious convictions
would not suffer her to be taught by those who made light of orthodoxy. This
attitude was intelligible enough in a child of sharp wit and abundant
self-esteem. Notwithstanding her father's indifferentism, little Clara perceived
that a regard for religion gave her a certain distinction at home, and elsewhere
placed her apart from common girls. She was subject also to special influences:
on the one hand, from her favourite teacher, Miss Harrop; on the other, from a
school-friend, Grace Rudd.
    Miss Harrop was a good, warm-hearted woman of about thirty, one of those
unhappy persons who are made for domestic life, but condemned by fate to
school-celibacy. Lonely and impulsive, she drew to herself the most interesting
girl in her classes, and, with complete indiscretion, made a familiar, a pet, a
prodigy of one whose especial need was discipline. By her confidences and her
flatteries she set Clara aflame with spiritual pride. Ceaselessly she excited
her to ambition, remarked on her gifts, made dazzling forecast of her future.
Clara was to be a teacher first of all, but only that she might be introduced to
the notice of people who would aid her to better things. And the child came to
regard this as the course inevitably before her. Had she not already received
school-prizes, among them a much-gilded little volume for religious knowledge?
Did she not win universal applause when she recited a piece of verse on
prize-day - Miss Harrop (disastrous kindness!) even saying that the delivery
reminded her of Mrs. -, the celebrated actress!
    Grace Rudd was busy in the same fatal work. Four years older than Clara,
weakly pretty, sentimental, conceited, she had a fancy for patronising the
clever child, to the end that she might receive homage in return. Poor Grace!
She left school, spent a year or two at home with parents as foolish as herself,
and - disappeared. Prior to that