When Millicent and I found ourselves alone there was an awkward pause for a moment; we felt as conscious as a pair of lovers thrown together for the first time. At last we looked at each other and began to laugh.
“I am so pleased to meet you,” I said.
“Not so much pleased as I am,” she replied. “I have been entreating Sybil to make me acquainted with you, and she would not. We came near quarrelling over you the other evening.”
“So did she and I! What could have been her motive?” I said.
“Did she not tell you?”
“No.”
“And you don’t guess?”
“No! Pray tell me, if it is not a secret,” I said.
“Oh! no, it’s no secret,” replied Millicent, laughing. “You are a Catholic. She was afraid to let me know you.”
“Lest I should contaminate you!”