For all that, she could not give them up.

She had made many attempts to tell Aunt Clarissa, but there was a great deal going on in the house, and every time she spoke she was told that she must wait till another time.

One day she determined to make another effort to get a few minutes' attention from Aunt Clarissa in the evening, and then she would tell her the whole story.

After supper she went to her and asked whether she might tell her something before they went out on the terrace with the others.

Aunt Clarissa asked how long it would take, for Mrs.Stanhope wished them all to go out together in a few minutes.