"What is that?" asked Cyril.
"A very simple one" replied Helen "only that Marshland should come with us and be our servant."
"Certainly," answered Cyril. "I shall be only too pleased, for the one servant I have is just leaving and I am sure Marshland will suit."
"Pardon me" said Mr. Palsey "I think Cyril, if you take my advice you will leave this wicked interfeering old woman behind I warn you she will be the plague of your life, for I myself have had experience of what she can do poking her nose into people's rooms, the meddling old cat."
"Mr. Palsey" said Helen calmly and with great dignity "perhaps you will allow Cyril to settle this matter, and if you will allow me to add, I would far rather be a meddling old cat, than a cruel hard hearted person who could murder a good innocent man for the sake of his money, and then could look the daughter of that man in the face with a cold unflinching gaze."
Gladys uttered a low scream and staggered towards the door; she is loosing her head she sobbed, "going mad, and all through you James." For Gladys knew nothing of Helen's suspicions.
"No Gladys" replied Helen, "dont cry, for I am not loosing my head or going mad either, and you have my utmost pity for having a husband such as he."
But nothing could soothe poor Gladys and as Helen stooped to comfort her, Mr. Palsey took the opportunity of speaking to Cyril.
"You idiot" he hissed "look what you have led Helen up to, making her speak to me like that, now I doubt if Gladys will belive in me, and if she does not there will be an end to my rich marriage."
"I dont care" said Cyril, for he truly felt he had the upper hand, "I consider it would be a very good thing if Miss Lincarrol does not marry you for she is too good a girl to be joined with a low villain like you."