The housemaid knocked at Grace's door—she was dressing—and told her Jael wished to see her.
Grace was surprised, and much disturbed. It flashed on her in a moment that this true and constant lover of Henry Little had come to enjoy her superiority. She herself had greatly desired this meeting once, but now it could only serve to mortify her. The very thought that this young woman was near her set her trembling; but she forced herself to appear calm, and, turning to her maid, said, “Tell her I can see no one to-day.”
The lady's maid gave this message to the other servant, and she went down-stairs with it.
The message, however, had not been gone long when the desire to put a question to Jael Dence returned strongly upon Grace Carden.
She yielded to an uncontrollable impulse, and sent her maid down to say that she would speak to Jael Dence, in her bedroom, the last thing at night.
“The last thing at night!” said Jael, coloring with indignation; “and where am I to find a bed after that?”
“Oh,” said the late footman, now butler, “you shall not leave the house. I'll manage that for you with the housekeeper.”
At half-past eleven o'clock that night Grace dismissed her maid, and told her to bring Jael Dence to her.
Jael came, and they confronted each other once more.
“You can go,” said Grace to the maid.