But Marcia remained stubbornly silent, only looking up from under her dark brows with her sullen, defiant expression.
After waiting a few minutes, Miss Harland turned to Rosalind.
"You will not refuse to answer me, Rosalind? I think you have not found me a hard mistress in the past, have you?"
Rosalind could scarcely speak for tears. "Oh, no, Miss Harland. I'll tell you—what I can—"
"Thank you. Then tell me at whose house you were, and what took you there?"
"It was a party. They invited Marcia, and said she could bring a friend."
"And did she suggest that you come without permission?"
"Oh, no. Miss Harland. She—she said she was glad you did not object—"
Here Marcia gave a warning glance in Rosalind's direction, which was not lost on Miss Harland. "There was no harm in it," she muttered.
"Then, Marcia, if there was no harm, why not have come and told me, and had my leave to go openly?"