"Who has locked the door?" cried Miss Leicester's voice.
"That is right," said Cecil, with a sigh of relief. "Miss Leicester will soon put things straight. Wait one moment, Miss Leicester, and I will let you in."
"Oh, don't, I beg of you, betray me to Miss Leicester!" cried Matilda.
"Will you come to Molly at once, then?"
"I will; anything rather than that Miss Leicester should know."
"All right; if you even attempt to escape, I will repeat to Miss Leicester all that I have said to you."
As Cecil said these last words, she turned the key in the door, opened it wide, and stood before her astonished principal.
"My dear," said that good lady, "why did you lock the door?"
"I was having a very important talk with Matilda," said Cecil.
"But to lock the door! It is not the custom, Cecil."