Mrs. Woffington came instantly from her frame, and stood before them in a despairing attitude, with one hand upon her brow. For a single moment her impulse was to fly from the apartment, so ashamed was she of having listened, and of meeting her rival in this way; but she conquered this feeling, and, as soon as she saw Mrs. Vane too had recovered some composure, she said to Triplet, in a low but firm voice:
“Leave us, sir. No living creature must hear what I say to this lady!”
Triplet remonstrated, but Mrs. Vane said, faintly:
“Oh, yes, good Mr. Triplet, I would rather you left me.”
Triplet, full of misgivings, was obliged to retire.
“Be composed, ladies,” said he piteously. “Neither of you could help it;” and so he entered his inner room, where he sat and listened nervously, for he could not shake off all apprehension of a personal encounter.
In the room he had left there was a long, uneasy silence. Both ladies were greatly embarrassed. It was the actress who spoke first. All trace of emotion, except a certain pallor, was driven from her face. She spoke with very marked courtesy, but in tones that seemed to freeze as they dropped one by one from her mouth.
“I trust, madam, you will do me the justice to believe I did not know Mr. Vane was married?”
“I am sure of it!” said Mabel, warmly. “I feel you are as good as you are gifted.”
“Mrs. Vane, I am not!” said the other, almost sternly. “You are deceived!”