'And have you told mother about this?'
'No, where's the use, since she won't hear of it?'
'And are you going to run away with Captain Hibbert?'
'Run away with him!' exclaimed Olive, laughing strangely. 'No, of course
I am not.'
'And how are you to marry him if you don't tell mother?'
'I shall tell her when the time comes to tell her. And now, Alice dear, you will promise not to betray me, won't you? You will not speak about this to anyone, you promise me? If you did, I know I should go mad or kill myself.'
'But when will you tell mother of your resolution to marry Captain
Hibbert?'
'Tell her? I'll tell her to-morrow if you like; that is to say, if you will give me your word of honour not to speak to her about my meeting Edward in the Lawler Wood.'
Afterwards Alice often wondered at her dullness in not guessing the truth. But at the time it did not occur to her that Olive might have made arrangements to elope with Captain Hibbert; and, on the understanding that all was to be explained on the following day, she promised to keep her sister's secret.