Before another minute had passed Nina was out of one cab and into
another close by.
"Drive off as fast as you can--never mind where! I'll tell you when we
get further on," and five minutes later she gave the cabman the address
of Mrs. Chetwode's house.
Bursting into the room she cried, "Oh, Bella, such a horrible thing has
occurred! Do help me." And she told her the whole story, ending by
saying, "I left word at home, when I went out, that I was going to see
you."
Mrs. Chetwode said something by way of calming her, and then she rang
the bell.
"Tell Martin to go to Mrs. Dacres', and say she will not return to
dinner, I've prevailed on her to stop with me. Now, my dear, try and
keep calm and put on the best face you can, and we must trust to
Providence to help us through."
"But suppose he saw me"
"Oh, no, we'll suppose he didn't see you; and I think you may trust to
Teddy--he's got his head screwed on the right way."
Nina wiped away the tears which had flowed over. "Nothing can excuse me
for being so imprudent," she said with a half sob; "all the time I knew
how wrong it was of me; and the worst is, Bella, I didn't care."
"Didn't care! How?"
"I mean I didn't care for Teddy. What could a boy like that possibly be
to me? Why, of course I love Rowley dearly--more than I could tell you;
and to think I should risk it all in this stupid way.
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