That evening, when Henrietta told Daniel the name of her future mother-in-law, he started with an air of utter despair, and said,—
“Great God! If Maxime de Brevan is not mistaken, that is worse than any thing we could possibly anticipate.”
IV.
When Henrietta saw how the young officer was overcome by the mere mention of that name, Sarah Brandon, she felt the blood turn to ice in her veins. She knew perfectly well that a man like Daniel was not likely to be so utterly overwhelmed unless there was something fearful, unheard of, in the matter.
“Do you know the woman, Daniel?”
But he, regretting his want of self-possession, was already thinking how he could make amends for his imprudence.
“I swear to you,” he began.
“Oh, don’t swear! I see you know who she is.”
“I know nothing about her.”