‘Listen: will you promise me faithfully—as friend to friend, faith fully—not to tell the reason even to your mother?’
‘I will, faithfully.’
‘Then, it’s this. On Friday morning I shall be married to Mr Tarrant.’
‘Gracious!’
‘I may tell you more, before then; but perhaps not. We shall be married by licence, and it needs one day between getting the licence and the marriage. You may tell your mother, if you like, that I want to stay longer on his account. I don’t care; of course she suspects something. But not a syllable to hint at the truth. I have been your best friend for a long time, and I trust you.’
She spoke in a passionate whisper, and Jessica felt her trembling.
‘You needn’t have the least fear of me, dear.’
‘I believe it. Kiss me, and good-night!’