Just at that minute a head was poked round the curtain and the face of Susan Marsh appeared.
"Wherever have you hid yourself, Christian? You are wanted immediately. Maudie and I and Mary Hillary are all waiting for your Royal Highness."
"Come in, Susan," said Star suddenly.
Susan advanced into the room. Notwithstanding all her would-be indifference, there was a slightly alarmed expression in her eyes.
"You have done something to this poor girl," said Star. "You have frightened her, and we want her to tell us. It is most unaccountable your being friends with the sort of girl Christian Mitford is."
"What?" said Susan; "is she too good for me?"
"She is different from you," said Star boldly. "She isn't a bit your sort, and you know it. Why are you so chummy with her? Will you tell us the reason?"
"She had best tell you herself; I give her leave," said Susan.
She stood and faced Christian with a daring, impish expression on her face. Her eyes beneath their thick brows seemed to dart as though they would pierce through the young girl's soul; their expression was altogether too much for Christian.