"And do you call this an honorable proceeding?"
"No, not so very."
If Aunt Caroline would only scold her, thought Elizabeth. She was so calm. The child attempted to excuse herself.
"I had wondered about that room so long, Aunt Caroline. I really did want to know something about my own family, and you and Aunt Rebecca never would tell me. I—I am very sorry."
Miss Herrick did not reply. Presently she turned to Valentine.
"Have you anything to say for yourself?"
"Why, no, not exactly. I didn't really understand about the room. Elizabeth had been there lots of times before I came, and it was her idea about the party in the first place."
"I see," said his aunt, with faint scorn in her voice; "it is merely another case, repeated from time immemorial, of 'the woman tempted me and I did eat.'"
"I don't understand you, Aunt Caroline," said Elizabeth.
But Valentine did understand, and he blushed scarlet.