“He?” said Olivia.
“Yes—Mr. Bradstone,” continued the woman, hurriedly. “To-night I was thinking of sending a message to you by the girl who lives here——”
“Bessie?” said Olivia, wonderingly.
“Yes, miss, that’s her name. I know she loves you, and that she’d be secret. Miss, I’m doing it at the risk of my life——”
Olivia flushed.
“What is it you want? What is it you are doing?” she asked, with a little pant.
The woman’s terrible earnestness was telling upon her.
“I’ve come to warn you, miss,” replied Liz, drawing a little closer.
“To warn me!” repeated Olivia, shrinking back, suspiciously.
“Yes, miss, a solemn warning! Don’t treat it lightly; give heed to it, for Heaven’s sake. I wouldn’t do it for everybody. I wouldn’t risk what I’m risking to-night for any other’s sake. I’m a fool to do it for yours, but you spoke to me kindly, and—and——What’s that?”