I stared at her a moment without replying—so she was guilty! So she did know! I heard the opening of the door as the maid left the room, and the sound somehow restored me a portion of my self-control.
"Cease? But why?" I asked. "Surely——"
"Marcia has said that the marriage is impossible," she interrupted. "Is not that enough?"
"Mr. Curtiss does not think so. And if it is impossible, he, at least, has a right to know why."
"Marcia has decided not; she has no wish to bring reproach to the memory of a respected man, who——"
She checked herself—but she had already said too much.
"Then you know why your daughter left so suddenly?" I questioned. "But an hour ago, you said you didn't know."
"I did not then," she murmured.
"I have no wish to know," I went on rapidly, noting her sudden pallor. "I have no right to know. But I'm here to find Miss Lawrence so that Mr. Curtiss can, at least, have a last talk with her. That seems a reasonable demand. Do you know where she is?"
"No!" she answered explosively.