Just then, Valentine's step became audible in the room above; first
moving towards the door, then suddenly retreating from it, as if he had
been called back.
"I hav'n't let out what I oughtn't, have I?" thought Mrs. Peckover;
calming down directly, when she heard the movement upstairs.
"Oh, you stick to it, do you?" continued Zack. "It's rather odd, old
lady, that Mrs. Blyth should have said nothing about this
newly-discovered Hair Bracelet of yours while I was talking to her. But
she doesn't know, of course: and Valentine doesn't know either, I
suppose? By Jove! he's not gone to bed yet: I'll run back, and ask him
if Madonna really _has_ got a Hair Bracelet!"
"For God's sake don't!--don't say a word about it, or you'll get me
into dreadful trouble!" exclaimed Mrs. Peckover, turning pale as she
thought of possible consequences, and catching young Thorpe by the arm
when he tried to pass her in the passage.
The step up stairs crossed the room again.
"Well, upon my life," cried Zack, "of all the extraordinary old women
"Hush! he's going to open the door this time; he is indeed!"
"Never mind if he does; I won't say anything," whispered young Thorpe,
his natural good nature prompting him to relieve Mrs.
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