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Preshea noticed "Clearly you enjoyed beingto insult everyone all the ti one’s real friends"

"Now, Dilassy with contempt "Who needs real friends?"

Sophronia was struck with a sudden pang Was Preshea’s nastiness a front? They had never given her a chance, as she’d allied with Monique froanically assuirl But there was so bit of Sophronia No one ever doubted that Sophronia valued her friends above all things

Lady Linette was prone to saying that if Sophronia had anyloyalty To which Sophronia always responded that she intended to prove that was a strength

Preshea couldn’t tolerate even a moment of sympathetic expressions "Oh, stop it, all of you" She stood "As if I should tradefor the likes of you"

Just like that, they were back on faround

"I, for one, do not want to be scolded into bed by Professor Lefoux Good night" With which Preshea left As older students, they had been moved into more luxurious accommodations, and each had her own private roorown up sharing with sisters, this was her first foray into the unparalleled privilege of a solitary bedchamber But she did have Bu three huddled in for whispered gossip, knowing Preshea was more likely to listen at her door than actually seek her bed

Sophronia told the other two about the Picklemen and that Monique was likely there in pursuit "I’o back down I’ve arranged to meet Vieve for a quick consult on Bumbersnoot And I have a letter to post"

Dimity worried easily "Is he ill?"

Bu in a corner of the parlor, nibbling a small bit of coal Steam leaked out his carapace slowly, in a sleepy manner

"No, but I have a theory about the crystalline valves that I want to discuss with Vieve Also, it’s an opportunity to see if she has anything atha, it is difficult being you I s on the sidelines, but harder to exchange inforatha, "I had a ht eyes to the object of her irinned "It was a pleasure to watch you butterfly about My brother seeatha blushed "Oh, do you think?"

"You like hier atha looked to Dimity, worried "You don’t reat deal better than those silly chits that keep hurling themselves at him No offense meant, Sophronia"

Sophronia was quick to defend herself "That was all Mumsy’s idea"

Dimity continued, "Frankly, I don’t understand it It’s not like he has umboil"

Sophronia nibbled her lip "For once I think the ladies don’t notice his lack of consequence"

Agatha’s hands clasped together in a ht by Lady Linette, but which Sophronia suspected in Agatha’s case was instinctual "He’s very fine to look at"

Dimity put her hands to her ears "Oh, dearevening"