"Send Suzette away," she whispered to Beatrice, when she entered;
"I must see you alone at once."
Beatrice dismissed her maid, and then turned to her sister.
"What is it, Lily?" she asked. "Your face is deathly pale. What
has happened?"
"Beatrice," said Lillian, "will you let me tell your secret to
Lionel Dacre? It will be quite sacred with him."
"To Lionel Dacre!" she cried. "No, a thousand times over! How
can you ask me, Lily? He is Lord Airlie's friend and could not
keep it from him. Why do you ask me such an extraordinary
question?"
"He saw me tonight," she replied; "he was out in the grounds, and
saw me speaking to Hugh Fernely."
"Have you told him anything?" she asked; and for a moment
Beatrice looked despairing.
"Not a word," said Lily. "How could I, when you trusted me?"
"That is right," returned her sister, a look of relief coming
over her face; "his opinion does not matter much. What did he
say?"
"He thought I had been to meet some one I knew," replied Lillian,
her face growing crimson with shame.
"And was dreadfully shocked, no doubt," supplemented Beatrice.
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