"Like her as much as ever you please," said Susan, "but remember she is my prey."
"Your prey, Susan! Whatever do you mean? Sometimes you don't talk at all nicely."
"Lower your voice a little, my love," said Susan; "we don't want the others to hear us. We have a whole quarter of an hour, and I have a plan in my head."
"You always are planning things. But I do want to talk about Christian now. I can't think why you call her your prey."
"Of course, I have no secrets from you, Maud; you are my chosen friend, and would not dare to betray me, even if you wished to do so. But the fact is, I have got hold of the poor dear's secret."
"Christian Mitford's secret?"
"Yes; the true story of her unavoidable detention."
"I wonder she won't tell us about that. She never will. It rather surprises me," said Maud.
"Rest assured, dear Maud, that she is never likely to tell you. She would be a mighty great fool if she did."
"And you know all about it?"