“I know none of Lady Belle’s secrets, ma’am—ask Miss Howard.”
Miss Howard looked sulky; and a little eager, black-eyed thing cried, “She said it was an odious girl whom Lady Belamour keeps shut up in a great dungeon of an old house, and is going to send beyond seas, because she married two men at once in disguise.”
“Fie, Miss Crawford, you know nothing about it.”
“You told me so, yourself, Miss Howard.”
“I never said anything so foolish.”
“Hush, young ladies,” said Madame. “Miss Howard, if you know anything, I request you to speak.”
“It would be a great kindness,” said Betty. “Might I ask the favour of seeing Miss Howard in private?”
Madame consented, and Miss Howard followed Betty out of hearing, muttering that Belle would fly at her for betraying her.
“I do not like asking you to betray your friend’s confidence,” said Betty.
“Oh, as to that, I’m not her friend, and I believe she has talked to a half-a-dozen more.”