“Are you going, dear?” asked Mrs. Varney, forcing herself to speak.
Caroline nodded her head as before.
“Oh, yes,” continued the older woman, “your party, you have to be there.”
At that the girl found voice, and without looking back she murmured, “There won’t be any party to-night.”
CHAPTER VIII
EDITH IS FORCED TO PLAY THE GAME
Caroline’s departure was again interrupted by the inopportune reëntrance from the back hall of Mr. Arrelsford, who was accompanied by two soldiers, whom he directed to remain by the door. As he advanced rapidly toward Mrs. Varney, Caroline stepped aside toward the rear window.
“Is he——” began Arrelsford, turning toward the window, and starting back in surprise as he observed Caroline for the first time.
“Yes, he is there,” answered the woman.
“Oh, Mrs. Varney,” cried Caroline, “there’s a heap of soldiers out in your backyard here. You don’t reckon anything’s the matter, do you?”
The girl did not lower her voice, and was greatly surprised at the immediate order for silence which proceeded from Mr. Arrelsford, whose presence she acknowledged with a very cool, indifferent bow.