new perfectly well that she ought to walk out of the cupboard,
confess to Mabel and the others that she had been listening to their
talk, and explain the exact state of the case. It was the only
straightforward course to take, and would prevent any further
misconceptions. And yet, she hesitated. A swift and strong temptation
had assailed her. After all, why need she tell? No one was aware that
she had overheard this conversation, and nobody had so far made the
slightest reference to her fictitious deed. She would act as if she were
quite unconscious that they credited her with it, and it would be time
enough to disclaim it when it was alluded to in unmistakable terms. The
longer she could keep Mabel's friendship the stronger it would be likely
to prove; and if the rest of the class had grown accustomed to treating
her opinions with deference, they would probably continue to accord her
a certain amount of consideration, from sheer force of habit.

She could not deliberately give up all that she had gained; it was too
great a sacrifice to be expected from anybody! On some future occasion,
when she had had sufficient opportunity to win their approbation on her
own merits, she could casually enlighten the girls, and set the mistake
right. She was confident that when they knew her better they could not
fail to value her for herself alone, and this exploit would sink into
insignificance. Besides, it was surely Mabel's fault, for jumping at
once to a conclusion without making adequate enquiries. She could not
help all the absurd things people might set down to her account, and it
was not her business to go about the world correcting them.

The girls had left the classroom and run downstairs. She could now
emerge from the cupboard quite unobserved, and no one but herself would
be any the wiser for what had happened. For the present, at any rate,
she would temporize; she would let matters remain as they were, and be
guided by future contingencies. There was really no deception about it,
because she fully intended to tell some time, when it was more
convenient.

Thus Aldred drugged her conscience, and allowed herself deliberately to
take the first step in a course which she knew in her heart was
dishonourable and unworthy, and which she was afterwards most bitterly
to regret.

CHAPTER III

The Model Cottage

In her supposed character of a modest and retiring heroine, Aldred
rapidly secured the favour she wanted in