"Oh -- I'm sure it's fine! If you don't see why he should mind, then I'm sure it's perfectly all right, and after all we're friends."

Okay, well, she's not perfectly sure it's all right, but Cosette is no stranger to tactfully neglecting to mention things to the men in your life if you think it would only cause difficulties and worry to do so. The secret is not to think too hard about any of it! Accordingly, she puts the question entirely out of her mind, and hurries out the door with Mary into the thrilling world of sneaking around a Scottish castle.

The staircase is dark and narrow and unfamiliar, and she does have to keep her hand on her wall and feel with her feet for each step, careful of the hem of the unfamiliar gown. But Mary's leading -- it's Mary's home, after all! -- and the wall is helpful, and soon enough they're out into rooms. Bedrooms of centuries ago, in an exotic castle in Stirling! And then -- oh, and then the window, and the view!

Cosette clasps her hands to her chest with a quick delighted gasp. "Oh, Mary!" she breathes, only just remembering to keep her voice to a whisper. "Oh, how lovely!"

Look at that. Scotland!