This pleased her, but her terror was still uppermost.
"Leila," she said piteously, "can't you explain it? I did so hope you could."
What could I say?
"I—one would need to go to the hall and look well about to see what could cast such a shadow," I said vaguely, and I suppose I must involuntarily have moved a little, for Sophy started, and clutched me fast.
"Oh, Leila, don't go—you don't mean you are going now?" she entreated.
Nothing truly was farther from my thoughts, but I took care not to say so.
"I won't leave you if you'd rather not," I said, "and I tell you what, Sophy, if you would like very much to sleep here with me to-night, you shall. I will ring and tell Freake to bring your things down and undress you—on one condition."
"What?" she said eagerly. She was much impressed by my amiability.
"That you won't say one word about this, or give the least shadow of a hint to any one that you have had a fright. You don't know the trouble it will cause."
"Of course I will promise to let no one know, if you think it better, for you are so kind to me," said Sophy. But there was a touch of reluctance in her tone. "You—you mean to do something about it though, Leila," she went on. "I shall never be able to forget it if you don't."