Peggy from Kerry by L.T. Meade

Before the week was up the girls who intended to compete for the Howard miniature prize had given in their names. All was managed very quietly, without the least fuss or excitement. Mrs. Fleming did not wish to have excitement come into the matter, as she knew that such would be against the wish of her dear old friend. The rules were drawn up with extreme care, and were given to each competitor. The intellectual part of the competition would not begin until after Christmas; there would then be two terms for the girls to work in-the Easter and the summer term. The 15th of June was fixed as the day when the prize would be awarded, and this would be a very special day in the school. The fathers and mothers of all the competitors would, if possible, be present; in addition there would be some art judges and judges of music and recitation. Then there would be the judges for the competition itself; these would be six in number, three men and three ladies; they would all be people well known to the literary world, and the mere fact of such distinguished people awarding the prize would largely add to its distinction. As well as the prize itself and the sealed parchment, there would be a beautifully illuminated certificate, which would be set in a frame of a simple band of gold. This would give the names of the judges, the date when the prize was won, and such other particulars as would make the prize of great value in the future.

The last girls to appear in Mrs. Fleming's study to put down their names as competitors for the Howard miniature were Kitty Merrydew, Sophia Marshall, and the two Misses Dodd. Kitty looked charming and insouciant. Her black hair was tied carelessly back from her charming little face with a wide bow of crimson ribbon; she wore her favourite crimson frock and embroidered black stockings and very neat little shoes with black satin rosettes. Nothing could be smarter than her appearance; no eyes could be brighter than hers. With her straight little features, her beautifully curved lips, her teeth white as pearls, and an additional crimson colour in her cheeks, she made altogether a picture which ought to attract any eye. Even her expression seemed at the first glance to be altogether frank, lively, good-natured; but Mrs. Fleming knew that face well, and wished the dark eyes did not look at her so boldly, and wanted to see less of that spirit of defiance round the proud mouth. She altogether distrusted Kitty, and yet she had no loophole, not the slightest, to account for her prejudice.