Jessie Cartwright reflected much on Emily's slyness in keeping her affairs so secret.

She was not as envious as she would have been but for a certain compact which she was determined should not--if it lay in her power to prevent it--be some day laughed away as a mere joke.

And had she not received, on the very eve of Dagworthy's departure, a box of gloves, which could only come from one person?
The second myth holds its ground, I believe, to the present day.

The more mischievous fable was refuted before very long, but only when it had borne results for Wilfrid practically the same as if it had been a truth..