"What business can a woman like you have with me?" demanded Mrs Gabriel, with scorn, and put up a lorgnette to freeze Mrs Jeal with a look.
But Mrs Jeal had borne the looks of even greater ladies than Mrs Gabriel. "It is strange, is it not, my lady?" she sniggered; "but I have something to talk about which will interest your ladyship very much."
"Indeed!" Mrs Gabriel looked more scornful than ever. "And I believe you have to do with this precious discovery?"
"I have, my lady. Mr Haverleigh is now Lord Morven. I proved his right to the title. You see, my lady, I was a nurse at Kilspindie Castle, and I stole his lordship when a child."
"How dare you speak to me like this?" cried Mrs Gabriel. "Do you not know that I can have you arrested for such an admission?"
"Oh, no; you cannot, my lady," retorted Mrs Jeal, coolly; "only Lord Kilspindie can do that, and he has let me go free."
"Then you leave this place," said Mrs Gabriel, haughtily. "I'll have no one in Colester likely to corrupt the morals of the people."
"Ah, you have great power here, my lady—great power," mocked Mrs Jeal.
Mrs Gabriel's blood grew cold as she saw the look in the woman's eye. "I don't understand you. Leave the room and the place," she said.
"All in good time, my lady," replied Mrs Jeal, calmly, and took a seat. As this was more than Mrs Gabriel could bear, she rose.