Janet read the name of Hutchins Burley, and needed all her self-control not to show her dismay.
"Did he leave a message?"
Henriette prattled on, unaware of Janet's emotion.
"He asked Berthe to tell you that he would call again about five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. He said he especially wanted to see you. If you couldn't be in, he would be sure to see papa."
"Five o'clock, did he say?"
"Yes. Just when my riding lesson comes. I suppose we shall have to give up our ride," she added mournfully.
"Let's wait and see, dear."
II
Had Burley chanced upon her in the street and followed her home, or had he seen her in one of the shops or at one of the English tea rooms in Brussels? Janet did not pursue this fruitless inquiry. The question was how to meet the fact, the perilous fact. For she could hardly doubt that Hutchins Burley's visit boded her no good.
She passed the events of the last nine months in quick review. M. St. Hilaire had engaged her without references. True to his agreement, moreover, he had given her a free hand with Henriette's education and had been well pleased when a growing attachment between Janet and his daughter relieved him almost entirely of routine parental cares.