"Perhaps," she thought to herself, "I have not beauty enough to please him. I hear that this girl he loved was very lovely."
An aversion to all beautiful girls and fair women entered her mind and remained there. She was tired—and that did not make her more amiable; so, when Kate Mansfield came in with her story, Veronica was in the worst possible mood to hear it.
"What are you saying, Kate?" she cried, angrily. "It cannot be possible—Miss Holte would never go to meet a servant. You must be mistaken."
"I am not, indeed, Miss Dartelle. I thought it my duty to mention it to you. They were talking for more than half an hour, and Miss Holte had her hands clasped, as though she were begging and praying him about something."
"Nonsense," said Miss Dartelle—"you must be mistaken. What can Miss Holte know of Lord Chandon's servant?"
Even as she said the words a sudden idea rushed through her mind. "What if the servant was taking some message from his master?"
"I will make inquiries," she said aloud. "I will go to Miss Holte."
But further testimony was not needed, for, as Miss Dartelle crossed the upper corridor, she saw Hyacinth standing by the window. To her came Gustave, who bowed silently, placed a note in her hand, and then withdrew.
"I have had absolute proof now," she said. "This shall end at once."