"Does the queen mind our looking at her face in turns?" said Kate
Rourke. "I have not specially noticed you before," she continued, "but
after we have each had a good stare we will know what sort of girl you
are."

For reply Kathleen herself lifted the lantern and flung the full light
upon her radiant and lovely face and figure. The intense light made her
golden hair shine, and brought out the delicate perfection of each
feature; the merry eyes framed in their dark lashes, the gleaming white
teeth, the rosy lips were all apparent. But beyond the mere beauty of
feature Kathleen had to a remarkable degree the far more fascinating
beauty of expression: her face was capable of almost every shade of
emotion, being sorrowful and pathetic one moment, and brimful of
irrepressible mirth and roguery the next.

There was a silence amongst the girls until Mary Rand shouted:

"Hip! hip! hurrah!"

The whole eight immediately broke into a ringing cheer.

"Welcome, Queen Kathleen," they said--"welcome;" and they held out their
hands and clasped the hands of the Irish girl.

"I am glad," said Kathleen.

"What about?" said Clara Sawyer.

"Why, you have crowned me queen yourselves. Now I can do what I like
with you all."