"Edwin is right," said the father, in a tone which indicated his determination to end the discussion, a tone which even Miss Silver obeyed. "My dear young lady, I hope you will like your book; Guy, write her name in it at once."
Guy willingly obeyed, but was a good while over the task; his mother came and looked over his shoulder.
"Louisa Eugenie—how did you know that, Guy? Louisa Eugenie Sil—is that your name, my dear?"
The question, simple as it was, seemed to throw the governess into much confusion, even agitation. At last, she drew herself up with the old repulsive gesture, which of late had been slowly wearing off.
"No—I will not deceive you any longer. My right name is Louise Eugenie D'Argent."
Mrs. Halifax started. "Are you a Frenchwoman?"
"On my father's side—yes."
"Why did you not tell me so?"
"Because, if you remember, at our first interview, you said no Frenchwoman should educate your daughter. And I was homeless—friendless."
"Better starve than tell a falsehood," cried the mother, indignantly.