Now, my dears, Constantia will be a sort of protectress to you three, and I had better write to her at once.

My dears, it is a relief to me to know you will be near Constantia, for London is a pit--a pit, and a snare." Miss Martineau had talked herself quite out of breath, and looked quite pleading, but the same obstacle which had prevented the girls' acceding to Mrs.Ellsworthy's request now debarred their taking up their quarters near Constantia Warren.
They spoke of their plans, but would not tell what they were, and Miss Martineau again went away offended.
"There is no secret in the matter," she said, when talking over the affair with Mrs.Ellsworthy.

"Primrose tries to make a mystery, and Jasmine likes to look mysterious, but there is not the smallest doubt that all the girls really want is to have their own way, and to be beholden to none of us." "Nevertheless, I love them, and shall always love them," answered Mrs.
Ellsworthy.
"Oh, for the matter of that, so will I always love them, Mrs.
Ellsworthy.

It seems to me they want a lot of pity, poor misguided young things!" Primrose, Jasmine and Daisy all this time felt wonderfully serene.
They were very sorry to hurt their friends, but it is quite true that they did want to have their own way.

They had made distinct plans, but they must go to London to carry them out.