"Young girls," said Rachel, "confide in each other. There is a true affection between you, is there not, my dear?"
"Yes," replied Rose, wondering what was coming, and dreading it.
"It happens sometimes," continued Rachel, with a sigh, "that parents do not entirely win their children's confidence. Joseph has not a secret from me. He is happy. Do you think Ruth is quite happy, my dear?"
"I am not asking you to break a confidence she may have reposed in you."
Rose could not refrain from interrupting her.
As she uttered the words a guilty feeling stole over her. What did the letter in her pocket contain?
Rachel drew the girl's face to hers, and caressed her.
"Now it is you," she said, "who are speaking as if you are in trouble. I am very inconsiderate, but love has its pains as well as its joys. You have no trouble, Rose?"
"None, dear mother. I am perfectly happy."
"See how mistaken I am; and I hope I am mistaken also about Ruth. I feared that she had a secret which she was concealing from me. Blind people are suspicious, Rose, and breed trouble for themselves and others."
"Not you, dear mother," said Rose, kissing her. "Now you must go to sleep. This is quite against the doctor's orders."
Rachel smiled and yielded; she took pleasure in being led by those she loved.
In the solitude of her chamber Rose read the letter:
"Darling Rose: I am in great trouble, and you must help me. You are the only friend I have in the world--but no, I must not say that; it is not true. What I mean is, you are the only friend at home I can trust.
"Father and mother, and you, too, think I am in Portsmouth with your family. Dear Rose, I am in London--I have been in London all the week. The happiness of my life is in your hands--remember that.
"I went down to Portsmouth, but I only stayed two days. I told your father I had to pay a visit to other friends, and he believed me. And now I hear he is in London and, of course, will come to the house. He is the only person you must tell; you must beg him not to say a word about my going from Portsmouth; you must make him promise; you don't know what depends upon it. Speak to him quietly, and say he must not betray me; he will do anything for you.
"Dear, darling Rose, I have a secret that I cannot disclose yet. I will soon, perhaps to-morrow, perhaps in a week--I cannot fix a time, because it does not depend upon me. But remember my happiness is in your hands. Your loving