“Oh yes; when we lived at Kensington, and he had the patent glass works.”
“Now, turn round and say if there is any one here whom you know?”
Rose, who had hitherto stood facing Mr. Grey, with her back to the rest of the room, obeyed, and at once exclaimed, “Aunt Alison,” then suddenly recoiled, and grasped at the Colonel.
“What is it, my dear?”
“It is—it is Mr. Maddox,” and with another gasp of fright, “and Maria! Oh, let me go.”
But Mr. Grey put his arm round her, and assured her that no one could harm her, Colonel Keith let his fingers be very hard pinched, and her aunt came nearer, all telling her that she had only to make her answers distinctly; and though still shrinking, she could reply to Mr. Grey’s question whom she meant by Mr. Maddox.
“The agent for the glass—my father’s agent.”
“And who is Maria?”
“She was my nurse.”
“When did you last see the person you call Mr. Maddox?”