"Well, I never!"
Verona remained standing, motionless, gazing at her in dead silence, and there was a long, uncomfortable pause.
"And what has become of all the money?" gasped Mrs. Barwell at last.
"It went to Madame de Godez's next of kin."
"My gracious goodness! my stars! What a change for you; what an awful come down!"
At this moment Mrs. Chandos bustled into the library, closely attended by Pussy and Dominga.
"Whatt!" she exclaimed, triumphantly, "so you have found a friend, Verona!" and she looked from her daughter to the little, hard-faced woman in the armchair. "You must introduce me, Verona. No?"
Verona, painfully embarrassed, remained silent. What was she to do? Of course her mother wished to know Mrs. Barwell, but Mrs. Barwell did not wish to know her mother.
To her profound relief the latter stood up, and said:
"Oh, how do you do, Mrs. Chandos? I believe I get my eggs and fowls from you? Your daughter and I were acquainted in England."