Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/264

254 sleeping cat, who is awakened by the flash of a mouse past her, and is all suspense lest it should escape.

"If you haven't heard anything—I shan't, of course, tell."

Mrs. Donald closed her eyes, as if the subject were finished. She was at once overwhelmed by cries and appeals for mercy.

"Mrs. Donald, you wouldn't be so mean; please tell. We have heard nothing. Oh, I can't rest till I know."

Mrs. Donald looked at her friends through half-lifted lids—she was enjoying herself.

"I really can't; it's a sort of scandal, and I promised our vicar I would talk no more about my friends' little secrets."

Miss Anderson drew herself up.

"Of course, if it's a secret, we must think of something else. Miss Manfield, did you see the extraordinary bonnet Mrs. Dunn had on at Church to-day?"

But Miss Manfield was stroking Mrs. Donald's hand. "You will tell me all about it, won't you? I always thought there was something funny about Virginia; but never knew what it was. Do tell?"