Discretion was not something she felt she’d earned by any means. She had only ever blurted words spoken in confidence to the very wrong people at the very wrong times. Her musings bubbled over into treasures on loan from the mouths of dear ones. She exploded with secrets whenever asked even a remotely related question. Why, just the other day she had told of Elizabeth’s shame to not one, but three of her suitors at once. Two had disgracefully declined pursuing her any farther and it was expected of the third to do the exact same. Yet, now, when Gwen needed her deepest shame kept within the close circle of her and Elizabeth, Ellie showed her the grace of which Gwen had demonstrated the exact opposite. Ellie could have easily ruined Gwen’s chance of love and acceptance, yet chose to put aside resentment and hold her tongue, sparing Gwen from shame. There cannot be a truer friend to exist than that. For discretion in a moment of easy revenge proves true strength, Gwen thought to herself.