"My father?" echoed the girl, staring.
"He's at Southend, isn't he?" said Leah, impatiently; "at least, you told me so last night. I have instructed my maid to go on to Firmingham, while we travel straight to Southend. Such a cockney place, isn't it? Then we can get back--oh, about what time?"
"Say eleven o'clock," returned the Russian, grimly. She now saw through the clever comedy which was being played.
"You understand, Marie," said Leah, turning to her maid, who was all ears and eyes; "see that the brougham is sent in time. Come with me, dear--there's a reserved compartment--at least, I ordered one. Curl, go and look."
Thus prattling to deceive her domestics, Leah adjusted a very thick veil, which hid from the public a face whose expression was quite at variance with her sweet nothings. When the two entered the carriage and the train was moving slowly out of the station, Katinka burst into a harsh laugh.
"I congratulate you, Lady James; you should have been a conspirator."
"So your dear father told me. Compliments run in your family, apparently. Surely you do not blame me for putting things right with my servants. They might think it queer, otherwise, and one cannot be too careful with such creatures."
"I fail to see what good your exceedingly clever explanations will do. Constantine intends to speak out."
"What about?" asked Leah, chafing, and throwing up her veil to manage the girl more easily with her dominating eyes.
Katinka, always fiery, and with slack nerves after her Siberian experiences, almost lost what temper she had left. "Need we keep on your comedy, madame?"