"Belle, you aren't afraid?" asked Rosalind, softly, as the sound of retreating steps grew faint.
"Not v-ery," whispered Belle. "But you don't know how queer those holes in the shutters look—like big round eyes staring at me. I have tried to open them but I can't."
"Belle, it is funny, isn't it, that there is an imprisoned maiden after all?"
"Oh, Rosalind, I know how it feels now. It is awful!"
"I think I know a little about it too," said Rosalind, sure that it was almost as bad to have that lonely, echoing house behind her as to be locked in. "Did you remember your oak leaf?" she asked.
"Yes, and I am not going to cry. Rosalind, we might have let Maurice in at the door. Wasn't it stupid of us?"
"Why, Belle! of course we might."
Katherine and Jack meanwhile had made their way out, the latter requiring a good deal of help, for getting in was easier than getting out. Jack was very indignant with her for not staying with Rosalind, and treated her with a cold disdain most trying.
As soon as she was in the open air, Katherine bitterly repented of her cowardice. She followed Jack meekly as he strode across the grass toward the Fairs', utterly ignoring her.
A sound of voices came from the summer-house, and Jack looked in to discover Maurice talking to Miss Celia. He briefly explained the trouble, adding, "If Morgan is at your house, Miss Celia, I'll go for him."