"It would," said the traveller, after a long pause, "be a very, very serious thing--in fact, it would be exceedingly wrong for me to entrust my boy to the companionship of a girl who was not truthful, who had the elements of deceit in her composition; and I do beseech of you, Robina, not to consider yourself in the matter, but if you know anything against Harriet, to confide that something to me." "You must not ask me," said Robina, suddenly. "I do not say I know anything; she is my school companion. She is clever; she is not cleverer than I am, but she is undoubtedly clever. You never can tell why a person cares for another. Ralph was fond of Harriet when he was at school, then he turned to me because poor Harriet was tempted to take him away to visit a friend of hers--but you know all about that story." "Yes, I know all about it, and about poor Harriet's subsequent repentance. The incident has, therefore, quite faded from my mind, and cannot influence me in my present decision in the very least." "Of course not," said Robina. "Well, I cannot tell you any more." "I am much puzzled," said Mr Durrant, "and your manner to-night is the reverse of reassuring." He left Robina a few minutes afterwards, and she walked by herself for a short time. She was just going back to the house when a hand was laid on her arm, and a girl looked eagerly into her face. "So you were talking to him?" "What do you mean?" said Robina. She almost flung Harriet's hand aside. "I have discovered something," said Harriet. Harriet's face was absolutely white. It looked curious and almost dreadful in the light caused by the moon which was now rising. "It was Jane who found out," she said. "You were in the hammock all the time. You heard us; you listened; you are an eavesdropper. Have you told Mr Durrant what I said to Jane?" "No," replied Robina, in a low tone. "But you did listen?" "I did: I was in the hammock. How did you find out?" "We found your handkerchief on the ground when we were passing a few moments afterwards; and you left your book behind you. Your book was in the hammock; your handkerchief on the ground; you dare not deny it; you heard every word." "I heard every word," said Robina. "Then what do you mean to do?" said Harriet. "Nothing," replied Robina. "Nothing?" said Harriet. "That is so like you. You mean to give up your golden chance?" Robina folded her hands. She stood and faced Harriet. "If I can keep straight, I will," she said--"if by any means it is possible for me to keep straight in the company of a girl like you, I will do so. I believe, hard as it may seem, that that would be better for me in the long run even than spending a whole year with Ralph." "Do you indeed think so?" said Harriet. She spoke eagerly. "In that case, Robina, you can help me." "No," said Robina, starting back.