"Then I clung to her, weeping and saying:
"'I dare not—I would rather die.'
"'But, my dear Estelle,' she interrupted, 'you must—indeed, you must. I see no help for it.'
"I remember standing up with a white, haggard face and beating heart.
"'If you will not help me, Agnes, I must tell her, but I shall do it in my own fashion. I shall write a letter to her, and kill myself before she receives it. I will never look my mother in the face again after she knows.'
"'Then what is to be done, Estelle?'
"'Be my friend, as you have always been. You have had more experience than I have had: you know the world better than I know it. You are older than I am; help me, Agnes.'
"'You mean, help you to keep the secret of your marriage?' she asked.
"'I do; and in asking you that, I ask for my life itself—the one depends upon the other.'
"Lady Agnes sat quite silent for some minutes, then she said: