CHAPTER IV.
THE NEW HILDA.
The morning came laughing into Hilda's room, and woke her with such a flash of sunshine and trill of bird-song that she sprang up smiling, whether she would or no.

Indeed, she felt happier than she could have believed to be possible.

The anger, the despair, even the self-humiliation and anguish of repentance, were gone with the night.
Morning was here,--a new day and a new life.

"Here is the new Hildegarde!" she cried as she plunged her face into the clear, sparkling water.

"Do you see me, blue dragons?
Shake paws, you foolish creatures, and don't stand ramping and glaring at each other in that way! Here is a new girl come to see you.