"
"How can you possibly forget it until you know Miss Heath's and Miss
Eccleston's decision?"
"Frankly, Constance, I don't care what decision they come to."
"You don't care? You don't mind the college authorities knowing?"
"I don't care if every college authority in England knows. I have been
humbled in the eyes of Miss Heath, whom I love; nothing else matters."
When Maggie said these words Prissie rose to her feet, looked at her
with a queer, earnest glance, suddenly bent forward, kissed her
frantically and rushed out of the room.
"And I love that dear, true-hearted child, too," said Maggie. "Now,
Constance, do let us talk of something else."
"We'll talk about Miss Peel. I don't know her as you do, but I'm
interested in her."
"Oh, pray don't; I want to keep her to myself."
"Why? Is she such a rara avis?"
"I don't care what she is. She suits me because she loves me without
question. She is absolutely sincere; she could not say an untrue
thing; she is so clever that I could not talk frivolities when I am
with her; and so good, so really, simply good that she keeps at bay my
bad half-hours and my reckless moods."
Constance smiled. She believed part of Maggie's speech; not the whole
of it, for she knew the enthusiasm of the speaker.
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