She stopped abruptly. Her frank but troubled eyes asked whole volumes of questions, but her lips were silent. Kate felt touched in spite of herself.
"The right thing would be to go straight to Molly and tell her everything," whispered conscience in her breast.
But she would not listen to it.
"If Molly is mean enough to repeat my greatest confidences, she may go," thought the proud girl. "She is all right now; she has got her dearest friend. She does not want me any longer. Catch me ever telling her anything private again. Of course she told, for no one else knows. Matilda could not have invented the story. Yes, Julia, what is it?"
"Can I see you for a moment after prayers, Kate?" asked Julia Hinkson.
"If you have anything important to say. I never looked at my notes last night, and want to work them up a little before lecture."
"I won't keep you five minutes; I—— The fact is, there is something you ought to know."
"Very well; I will speak to you in the hall," answered Kate.
The girls had now to go into the dining room for prayers. This short service over, Molly hurried her friend upstairs, and Kate and Julia found themselves alone in the entrance hall.