There were parvenus, which included myself.

When I entered the school it was divided into clans, each with its spites, jealousies, and emulations.

Its _esprit de corps_, however, was developed by my arrival; the girls united against me, and though I perceived, when I compared myself with them, that they were partly right in their opinions, their ridicule stupefied and crushed me.

They were trained, intelligent, and adroit; I uncouth, ignorant, and without tact.

It was impossible for Miss Black not to be affected by the general feeling in regard to me.