“Yes,” came in reply from under the coverlet.

After a short silence Dorothy uncovered her face.

“Yes,” she said boldly, “I told him plainly; nor did I feel shame in so doing.  It must be that this strange love makes one brazen.  You, Madge, would die with shame had you sought any man as I have sought John.  I would not for worlds tell you how bold and over-eager I have been.”

“Oh, Dorothy!” was all the answer Madge gave.

“You would say ‘Oh, Dorothy,’ many times if you knew all.”  Another pause ensued, after which Madge asked:—­

“How did you know he had been smoking?”

“I—­I tasted it,” responded Dorothy.

“How could you taste it?  I hope you did not smoke?” returned Madge in wonderment.

Dorothy smothered a little laugh, made two or three vain attempts to explain, tenderly put her arms about Madge’s neck and kissed her.

“Oh, Dorothy, that certainly was wrong,” returned Madge, although she had some doubts in her own mind upon the point.

“Well, if it is wrong,” answered Dorothy, sighing, “I don’t care to live.”

“Dorothy, I fear you are an immodest girl,” said Madge.

“I fear I am, but I don’t care—­John, John, John!”

“How came he to speak of your lower lip?” asked Madge.  “It certainly is very beautiful; but how came he to speak of it?”

“It was after—­after—­once,” responded Dorothy.

“And your arm,” continued remorseless Madge, “how came he to speak of it?  You surely did not—­”

“No, no, Madge; I hope you do not think I would show him my arm.  I have not come to that.  I have a poor remnant of modesty left; but the Holy Mother only knows how long it will last.  No, he did not speak of my arm.”

“You spoke of your arm when you were before the mirror,” responded Madge, “and you said, ‘Perhaps some day—­’”

“Oh, don’t, Madge.  Please spare me.  I indeed fear I am very wicked.  I will say a little prayer to the Virgin to-night.  She will hear me, even If I am wicked; and she will help me to become good and modest again.”

The girls went to sleep, and Dorothy dreamed “John, John, John,” and slumbered happily.

That part of the building of Haddon Hall which lies to the northward, west of the kitchen, consists of rooms according to the following plan:—­

The two rooms in Entrance Tower over the great doors at the northwest corner of Haddon Hall were occupied by Dorothy and Madge.  The west room overlooking the Wye was their parlor.  The next room to the east was their bedroom.  The room next their bedroom was occupied by Lady Crawford.  Beyond that was Sir George’s bedroom, and east of his room was one occupied by the pages and two retainers.  To enter Dorothy’s apartments one must pass through all the other rooms I have mentioned.  Her windows were twenty-five feet from the ground and were barred with iron.  After Dorothy’s