"I feel as if I were engaged on a very dirty, disagreeable bit of work," she said to herself. "I must find out if it would have been possible for anyone to have overheard Kate's and Molly's conversation. Let me see, an idea comes to me. Why should not Matilda Matthews herself help me to unravel this mystery? Matilda is always dying to be seen with the St. Dorothy girls. I must pander to her weakness a little now. After all, it is in a good cause."
Matilda lived at Dacre House. It was one of the most fashionable of the houses of residence; only really rich girls could afford to go there. Matilda's father and mother had more money than they knew what to do with. Matilda was their only child, and they did not care what expense they lavished on her. Cecil had never yet been to Dacre House. It was at the other side of the great school quadrangle. She soon found herself walking up the wide flight of steps, and ringing the hall door bell. A neatly dressed servant quickly answered her summons.
"I have called to see Miss Matthews. Do you happen to know if she is in?" inquired Cecil.
"I don't know, miss; I'll inquire. Will you come upstairs to the drawing room, please?"
Cecil obeyed.
Dacre House was richly and expensively furnished; there were Turkey carpets on the stairs; the drawing room was a very large and luxurious apartment. Cecil looked round her with a sense of dissatisfaction. She missed the plain, but exquisite, neatness of St. Dorothy's.
"I am glad I am there," she said to herself.
At this moment Matilda entered the room. She quite blushed and giggled when she saw Cecil.
"How do you do?" she said, in a sentimental voice. "Is not the day lovely?"
"Yes," said Cecil. "I want to know if you will come for a walk with me, Matilda?"