The Lower School recreation room happened to be temporarily deserted by its usual rollicking crew, and Mabel was there alone, standing warming her hands at the fire. She looked up brightly as Aldred entered.
"Come along!" she said. "Isn't this a glorious blaze? We've got the room all to ourselves for once, and we'll have such a cosy chat! Why! what's this you're giving me? A letter? From whom?"
"From me. It's something I want you to know," replied Aldred shortly; and she would have turned to leave the room had not Mabel caught her by the arm and forced her back to the fire.
"Don't run away!" she exclaimed. "You're the most absurd girl! What are you writing to me about?"
"You'll find out when you've read it," gulped Aldred.
"But why couldn't you tell me? What's the matter? You're actually crying! Dearest, have I done anything to offend you?"
"No, no! Do let me go, and then open the letter!"
"I shan't. You must stay here till I know why you are crying. Has anybody been nasty to you?"
"No; it's I who have done something wrong—I wanted to let you know—I'm afraid you'll never care for me afterwards—I daren't tell you—so please read it, and don't keep me now!"
Mabel looked puzzled, then suddenly enlightened; but instead of loosening her hold on her friend, she pulled her down on to the hearth-rug, before the fire.