Barbara had seen her in the park at Hatchstead, seen her more than once, and more than once found sore offence in what she saw.

There is wisdom in silence; I was learning that safety might lie in deceit.

The anger under which I had suffered would be doubled if she knew that Cydaria was Nell and Nell Cydaria.

Why should she know?
Why should my own mouth betray me and add my bygone sins to the offences of to-day?
My lord had not told her that Nell was Cydaria.

Should I speak where my lord was silent?
Neither would I tell her of Cydaria.
"You haven't seen her ?" I asked.
"No; and I would learn what she is like." It was a strange thing to command me, yet Barbara's desire joined with my own thoughts to urge me to it.