For mercy’s sake, don’t put any idea into his head that isn’t there already! Not a word to a soul——

[Claude appears in the doorway, hat in hand.

Claude.

Cab, aunt.

Mrs. Cloys.

I’m coming. [Claude withdraws.] Not a word, except that we’ve gone out, blindly, to try and find her.

Justina.

Wait! you must tell me; do you suspect that Theophila is—guilty?

Mrs. Cloys.

[Looking at her steadily.] Woman, what do you suspect?