"You have done nothing of the sort," said I. "Mother Bursar let us accompany her through the rooms but she said we must go no where else without her."
Desireè went and looked through the open doors, and even ventured a few steps into the room, but soon returned. I fancy she was afraid.
"And where does this go?" she asked, turning to a little door opening under the great stairs.
"I don't know, I never noticed it!" I answered.
"It does not matter where it goes, since we are not to leave this hall!" said Amabel. "Don't touch it, Desireè."
"I shall not ask your leave, Misè!" returned Desireè, still working at the door.
I suppose the lock was rusted, for it yielded in her hand, and she opened it. Amabel and myself came behind her and looked. The door opened on a stone stair, which led downward. It was dark at first, but gazing steadfastly we could discern a dim light below. A damp, mouldy air blew in our faces. I shuddered, I knew not why, and turned away.
"Look at her. She pretends to fear nothing, and she is scared at the very sight of this old hole!" said Desireè. "Now I will wager anything that she would never dare go down these stairs and walk twenty paces away from them!" And Desireè laughed scornfully.
"Whether she is afraid or not, she must not do it!" said Dénice. "The Mother Bursar has forbidden it."
"She did not forbid it—she said nothing about it!" said I.