“If not me, then, choose some other defender. Unprotected and undefended you must not be.”
“I need none, sir; none will asperse me!” said she, haughtily.
“What! you say this? while scarce five minutes since I saw you outraged, insulted in the open street?”
A burst of tears, long repressed, here broke from Kate; and for some minutes her sobs alone were heard in the silence.
“I will ask but one question more, Miss Dalton,” said George, slowly, as the carriage passed under the arched gateway of the Palace, “and then this incident is sealed to me forever. Is this secret whatever it be in your own sole keeping; or is your confidence shared in by another?”
“It is,” murmured Kate, below her breath.
“You mean that it is shared?” asked he, eagerly.
“Yes, Mr. Jekyl at least knows—”
“Jekyl!” cried George, passionately; “and is Alfred Jekyl your adviser and your confidant? Enough; you have told me quite enough,” said he, dashing open the door of the carriage as it drew up to the house. He gave his hand to Kate to alight, and then, turning away, left her, without even a “good-bye,” while Kate hurried to her room, her heart almost breaking with agony.
“I shall be late, Nina,” said she, affecting an air and voice of unconcern, as she entered her room; “you must dress me rapidly.”