"She finds out everything!" said Paul tartly--"just like a social detective."
"She does," assented Miss Clyde coolly; "but she is not omniscient, else she would know who killed poor Milly. I find Mrs. Drass very useful, I assure you, Mr. Mexton."
"I quite believe it. But to continue your confession."
"Oh, you need not dignify my story by so great a title! I am not in the dock yet, Mr. Mexton! I assure you I shall prove my innocence to you very plainly. Where was I?"
"You were informing me that Mr. Chaskin was in love with poor Milly."
"Ah! that is a side issue. Mr. Lovel was also in love with the unfortunate girl, and I did not approve of his passion, as I wanted him for myself."
"You were jealous?" said Mexton, more plainspoken than polite.
"I was," said Miss Clyde calmly; "the most unromantic of women have their vein of sentiment--their passion. Lucas is my passion, and I love him dearly. I was very jealous of his preference for Milly, and I was angry with her for encouraging him. She was engaged to Mr. Herne, and should have remained true to him. On the night of the murder I saw Milly leave during the service; and Mr. Lovel followed the moment it was concluded."
"To meet with Milly?" suggested Paul.
"Yes, I thought so; and I was determined to put a stop to such meetings by giving Milly a good talking to, and threatening to tell Mr. Herne. You need not look at me so severely, Mr. Mexton," continued Miss Clyde, throwing back her head. "Milly was behaving badly towards Herne, and even if I had not been in love with the man she was flirting with. I think, as an older woman, and one who had known her from childhood, I had the right to point out to her how wrongly she was acting."