if her words were
more specially addressed to her, and she started, while a flush rose to
her face. And suddenly she remembered--or realised rather--that Lady
Myrtle _had_ given them a message for their aunt; though, oddly enough,
in spite of her thoughts having been so much absorbed with the adventure
of the day before, it had never once occurred to her during that silent
breakfast that she should have spoken of it to her aunt--should, in
fact, have related all that had passed. There had been no reason for her
not doing so--the old lady had specially desired it--it was only that
her strong impression that Miss Mildmay had something to say to them had
made her wait.

'Of course,' she exclaimed nervously. 'I really don't know what we've
been thinking of _not_ to tell you. For we _have_ a message for
you.--Frances, why didn't you remind me?'

Frances stared. It was seldom her way to take the initiative, she was so
accustomed to follow Jacinth's lead; and just now she had been quite
contentedly waiting to speak of their visit to Robin Redbreast till her
sister saw fit to do so.

'I--I didn't know. I thought'----began Frances confusedly.

Miss Mildmay turned upon her sharply.

'Have you been planning together not to speak of this--this curious
affair to me?' she said. 'I don't pretend not to know all about it. I
do,' and she touched the letter, 'by this, but I must say I think I
should not have heard of it _first_ from a stranger. There is one thing
I cannot and will not stand, I warn you, girls, and that is any approach
to want of candour.'

'Aunt Alison,' exclaimed Jacinth in hot indignation, 'how can you? Did
you not hear me ask Frances why she had not reminded me to tell you?'

'No, I cannot understand that,' said her aunt, still coldly. 'It is
quite impossible that you had _forgotten_ about it, when it only
happened'----She glanced at the letter and hesitated. 'When was it, it
happened?'

'Only yesterday,' said Jacinth quietly. 'No, _of course_, I hadn't
forgotten. But I had forgotten that I had a message for you that I
should have given immediately I saw you. That I _had_ forgotten, and if
you don't believe me, I can't help it.'

Her voice choked, and the tears rushed to her eyes, though with a strong
effort she kept them from falling.

Frances glanced at her, her face working with sympathy.

Miss Mildmay seemed perplexed.

'Only yesterday!' she said. 'I don't see how I have got this letter so
quickly