"Jessie will never tell. And don't you know by this time, Maud, that Miss Peacock—the dear, blessed, saintly Lavinia—winks at our little peccadillos? She could find out if she chose to, but she is too wise, bless her, the darling! Well, of course, neither Jessie nor Miss Peacock is to know of this. I have spoken already to Florence Dixie and to the two Manners girls, and they are wild to come. They want to join the society, but of course that can't be entertained; I do draw the line at that. We shall get them in by means of a ladder put up to the window. Won't it be splendid?"
"It certainly will," said Maud. "How daring you are, Susan! Do you think Star and Lucy and Angela will join us?"
"Do I think ducks will swim?" was Susan's remark. "But now, my dear love, in order to have these girls we must have funds. What do you think of this?"
As Susan spoke she thrust her hand into her pocket and drew out a whole beautiful golden sovereign.
"Why, Susan," said Maud, in astonishment, "however did you get it?"
"From the dear, the precious young Christian. The price of her detention, you understand."
"Oh, you are not blackmailing the poor child? How wrong of you! How cruel!"
"You use very ugly words, Maud; you forget yourself. Now, the fewer questions you ask the better. This sovereign will buy a grand supper, and we shall have a jolly time."
"But if we are found out. You know how furious Miss Peacock would be at our introducing outsiders into the school."
"We won't be found out; we shall be far too careful for that. But please understand, Maud, that what I have told you is in strictest confidence; you must not breathe it to another soul. Meanwhile you may be as nice as you like to Christian. Go and talk to her now, poor child! She is standing over there by herself, looking desolate and gazing out to sea."