"Well, I'll say nothing."
"You must come to me to-day to my boudoir. I shall ask to have it to myself, and only you and Susan shall come. I'll get to the bottom of this thing. Now, you understand."
Maud put on a wry face.
"I won't talk to you any more at present; I despise you," said Star.
She ran on and joined Jane Price.
"What's the matter with you, Star? You don't look too happy."
"Nor would you be if you had a weight on your mind which was reducing you to abject misery," was Star's response.
"Are you really so fond of Christian?"
"Who wouldn't be fond of a girl who was made ill at the school all because she had been unkindly treated—a girl who is quite uncommon in herself? I can't make out what is the matter, Jane. I am thoroughly wretched."
"You look it, Star. I never saw your face so perplexed. What were you saying to Maud?"