Daisy never once dreamed her letter was the cause of her unexpected summons, until she entered Mme. Whitney’s presence and saw it opened––yes, opened––her own sacred, loving letter to Rex––in her hand.
Daisy was impulsive, and her first thought was to grasp her precious letter and flee to her own room. How dared the madame open the precious letter she had intended only for Rex’s eyes!
“Miss Brooks,” began madame, impressively, “I suppose I am right in believing this epistle belongs to you?”
A great lump rose in Daisy’s throat.
“Yes, madame,” answered Daisy, raising her dark-blue eyes pleadingly to the stern face before her.
“And may I ask by what right you dared violate the rules and regulations of this establishment by sending a sealed letter to––a man? Your guardian strictly informed me you had no correspondents whatever, and I find this is a––I blush to confess it––actually a love-letter. What have you to say in reference to your folly, Miss Brooks?”
“I’m sure I don’t know,” sobbed Daisy.
“You don’t know?” repeated madame, scornfully. “Not a very satisfactory explanation. Well, Miss Brooks, I have fully determined what steps I shall take in the matter. I shall read this letter this morning before the whole school; it will afford me an excellent opportunity to point out the horrible depths to which young girls are plunged by allowing their minds to wander from their books to such thoughts as are here expressed. What do you mean by this secret to which you allude so often?” she asked, suddenly.
“Please do not ask me, madame,” sobbed Daisy; “I can not tell you––indeed I can not. I dare not!”