On this head you will promise to be silent." Lady Charlotte held forth her hand.

Emilia would not take it before she had replied, "I knew this before you came," and then she pressed the extended fingers.
Lady Charlotte drew her close.

"Has Wilfrid taken you into his confidence so far ?" Emilia explained that she had heard it from his father.
The lady's face lit up as from a sting of anger.

"Very well--very well," she said; and, presently, "You are right when you speak of the power of lying in men.

Observe--Wilfrid told me that not one living creature knew there was question of an engagement between us.