The Talleyrand Maxim

Nesta, left alone, gave herself up to deep thought, and to a careful reckoning of her position. She was longing to confide in some trustworthy person or persons, for Pratt’s revelations had plunged her into a maze of perplexity. But her difficulties were many. First of all, she would have to tell all about the terrible charge brought by Pratt against her mother. Then about the second which he professed to–or probably did–hold. What sort of a secret could it be? And supposing her advisers suggested strong measures against Pratt–what then, about the danger to her mother, in a twofold direction?