"Do you wish it known?" she said.
"Wish what known? I do not understand," replied Bertha.
Bertha was looking her very best in a black lace dress with some Gloire de Dijon roses in her belt. She raised her eyes and fixed them insolently on Kitty.
"Do I wish what known?" she repeated.
"Why, that I met you, that I knew you, you understand. You must understand. I thought, as you were here, that it would injure you if I spoke of it."
Bertha suddenly took hold of Kitty's hands and drew her into the recess by the window.
"Keep it a secret," she said; "pretend you never knew me. Don't tell your father; don't tell Sir John."
"But Sir John remembers you—he must remember you. You know what happened at Cherry Court School. How can he possibly forget?"
"I shall be ruined if it is known. Mrs. Aylmer must not know. Get Sir John to keep it a secret; you must—you shall."
"I have asked him not to speak of it; but I must understand how you came to be here. I will say nothing to-night. To-morrow I will speak to you," said Kitty.