A footstep made me look up: and I saw Miss Millington hurrying along the path, her face aflame, her eyes glazed with tears. Finding me there alone, she stopped short in front of me, and burst out—
"It is your doing!"
"What is?" I asked, though indeed I could guess.
She tossed her head, and bit her lips, glaring at me.
"Oh, you needn't pretend! You know very well! It's what you've been scheming for ever since you came! I know well enough. But I'll be even with you yet. I'll have my revenge."
"It would be idle to pretend that I cannot guess what you may mean," I said seriously. "But you are mistaken, Miss Millington. I have not moved in the matter."
"Oh, I dare say! When your very words show it! You knew she was going to get rid of me! And you persuaded her."
"I did not know it," I answered. "I knew only that Mrs. Romilly did not seem satisfied: and I could guess that she might have spoken to you. That is all."
"Oh, of course! It's all very fine When you can twist Mrs. Romilly any way you please! And everybody knows it!" she said, jerking out short sentences With gasps of passion between. "I understand! You've gone and told her! That stupid cooked-up tale about your accident! Such a fuss about nothing! And it's all untrue! A downright lie! And she has told me I'm to go! Doesn't like my influence! I know what that means! But I'll be even with you yet!"
"You are wronging me," I said, and I found it difficult to control myself. "I have told Mrs. Romilly nothing. She questioned me, and I declined to answer."