"She knew that you had secretly married the gentleman beside you."
Everyone was on his or her feet by this time, and every look was directed towards Olivia. "Is this true?" asked Lady Jabe.
"Yes," cried Miss Pewsey, before either Rupert or Olivia could speak, "of course it is true. Let them deny it if they can. I heard Olivia say herself, that she had been married at a registrar's."
Miss Rayner, or rather Mrs. Ainsleigh turned on the little woman, "I should like to know when I said that to you Miss Pewsey?"
"You never said it to me--oh dear no," said Miss Pewsey shrilly, "you were not straightforward enough. But I heard--oh yes I heard."
"Miss Wharf," said the lawyer folding up the will, "told me that she learned of this from Miss Pewsey, just before she called me in, to make a new will. The five hundred a year was left to you Miss----"
"Mrs. Ainsleigh," said Rupert quickly.
"Very good. To you Mrs. Ainsleigh, by a former will. But on discovering the secret marriage, my client made a new will--this," he shook it, "and Miss Pewsey benefits."
"Miss Pewsey has every right to benefit," said Mrs. Ainsleigh in a clear cold voice, "she has been well paid, for being a spy."
"Spy," shrilled Miss Pewsey glaring, "yes I was a spy in the interests of dearest Sophia. I followed you several times, when you went to meet Mr. Ainsleigh near the flag-staff, and on the last occasion----"