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Then there darted into poor Annies sore heart and perplexed brain that dangerous thought and temptation which was to work so much future pain and trouble. She already loved little Nan, and Nan, as most children did, had taken a fancy to her. Annie stood still, and clasped her hands as the dark idea came to her to steal the heart of little Nan from Hester, and so revenge herself on her. By doing this she would touch Hester in her most vulnerable point she would take from her what she valued most. The temptation came swiftly, and Annie listened to it, and thought how easy it would be to carry it into effect. She knew well that no little child could resist her when she chose to exercise her charms it would be easy, easy work to make that part of Nan which was most precious all her own. Annie became fascinated by the idea; how completely then she would have revenged all her wrongs on Hester! Some day Hester would bitterly repent of her unjust prejudice toward her; some day Hester would come to her, and beg of her in agony to give her back her darlings love; ah! when that day came it would be her turn to triumph.
She felt more than satisfied as the temptation grew upon her; she shut out persistently from her view all the other side of the picture; she would not let herself think that the work she was about to undertake was cruel and mean. Hester had been more than unjust, and she was going to punish her.
Annie paced faster and faster up and down the shady walk, and whenever her resolution wavered, the memory of Hesters face as she had seen it the same night in the South Parlour came visibly back and strengthened it. Yes, her turn had come at last. Hester had contrived since her entrance into the school to make Annies life thoroughly miserable. Well, never mind, it was Annies turn now to make her wretched.
Chapter Twenty Two In Burn Castle Wood
Susan Drummond now shared Annies bedroom, and Annie was rather startled one evening to hear this phlegmatic young person burst out into a strong tirade against Hester and Dora. Dora had managed, for some inexplicable reason, to offend Susan, and Susan now looked to Annie for sympathy, and boldly suggested that they should get up what she was pleased to call a lark between them for the punishment of this very dignified young lady.
Annie had never liked Susan, and she now stared at her, and said in her quick way
You wont catch me helping you in any of your larks. Ive had trouble enough on that score as it is.
Susan gazed at her stupidly, and a dull read spread over her face.
But I thought you hated Dora and Hester, she said Im sure they hate you.
Annie was silent.
You do hate them, dont you? persisted Miss Drummond.
Its nothing to you what I feel toward them, Susy, said Annie.
Please dont disturb me with any more of your chatter; I am very sleepy, and you are keeping me awake. Thus silenced, Susan had to content herself by turning on her back, and going into the land of dreams; but she was evidently a good deal surprised and disappointed, and began to entertain a certain respect, and even fear, of Annie, which had been hitherto unknown to her.
Meanwhile Hester was very busy, very happy, and more satisfied brighter and better employed than she had ever been in her life before. Nans love satisfied the affectionate side of her nature, and all her intellect was strained to the utmost to win honours in the coming struggle.
She had stuck firmly to her resolve to work for the English composition prize, and she firmly made up her own mind to leave no stone unturned to win it. What affection she, possessed for Miss Russell was not at all of a character to prevent her from thoroughly enjoying taking the prize out of her hands. Her love for Dora had been fed by vanity, and was not at all of a deep or noble character. She was some time carefully choosing the subject of her theme, and at last she resolved to write a brief historical description of the last days of Marie Antoinette. To write properly on this subject she had to read up a great deal, and had to find references in books which were not usually allowed as school-room property. Mrs Willis, however, always allowed the girls who were working for the English composition prize to have access to her rather extensive library, and here Hester was often to be found during play-hours. Two evenings in the week were also taken up in preparation for the coming plays, and as Hester was to take rather an important part in one, and a small character in another, she was obliged to devote herself to getting up her parts during the weekly half-holidays. Thus every moment was busy, and, except at night, she had little time to devote herself to Nan.
Nan slept in a pretty crib in Hesters room, and each evening the young girl knelt down by her sisters side, and gazed at her with love which was almost motherly swelling in her breast.
All that was best of Hester was drawn out at these moments; something greater than ambition something far and away above school triumphs and school jealousies spoke then in her heart of hearts. These moments found her capable of being both sympathising and forgiving; these moments followed out in her daily life might have made Hester almost great. Now was the time, with her eyes full of tears and her lips trembling with emotion, for Annie Forest to have caught a glimpse of the divine in Hester; the hardness, the pride, the haughty spirit were all laid aside, and hers was the true child-heart as she knelt by the sleeping baby. Hester prayed earnestly at these moments, and, in truth, Nan did better for her than any sermon; better for her than even Mrs Williss best influences. Nan was as the voice of God to her sister.