Now, it occurred to her that she might simply relate to Penelope what she had done, or rather tell her pupil enough to show her that she was in the secret. That very evening, when the two had finished their supper she began her confidence. She told the girl that she had not wished to injure her, but at the same time that she knew for a fact that she had received four five-pound notes from four different girls of the school. "To me it is extraordinary," she said, "why they should give to you the precious money, but that they have done so is beyond doubt. I go by the evidence of these eyes at once piercing and true! Do you deny it, _mon enfant_? Do you dare to be so _mechante_?" "I admit nothing and deny nothing," said Penelope, as calmly as she could speak. Mademoiselle laughed. After a long pause, she said: "I am a nature the most generous, and I would not hurt a hair of the head of my pupil. You will go and enjoy the festival and the time so gay and the friends so kind at Castle Beverley, and that _enfant_ so _magnifique_, Honora Beverley, will be your companion. I could prevent it, for she is, with all her nobleness, fanatical in her views, and of principles the most severe." "I will never ask you to keep anything back," said Penelope. "You can write to Honora if you wish: I don't know how you can say anything about me without maligning yourself." "Ah--mademoiselle I do you think I could so injure you?" said the governess. "That would indeed be far from my thoughts. But if I have the consideration the very deepest for you, will you not assist me to have a less _triste_ time than in this lonely house with even you away?" "What can I do?" asked Penelope, in surprise. "I am a rather friendless girl, how can I possibly assist you to have a gay time? I never yet had a gay time myself, this is the first occasion." "And it fills you with so great delight?" "I am very glad," said Penelope. "I write this evening," said Mademoiselle, "to Madame, and I mention to her the fact that my one pupil departs on the quest of pleasure, and I ask her to liberate me from my _solitaire_ position here and to perhaps do me a little kindness by assisting me to spend the holiday by the gay, bright, and charming sea. A little word thrown in from you, too, mademoiselle, might do much to influence Madame to think of the poor governess. Will you not write that word?" Penelope hesitated for a minute. Then she said, bluntly: "I will mention the fact that you will be quite alone, and I will write myself to Mrs Hazlitt to-night."