"He is on the watch for the arrival of Bernard," said Alice, quietly. "It is for that reason, I am sure, that Julius asked you to take him."
"Bah! Beryl!" Miss Berengaria never was respectful to anyone, much less to Julius, whom she hated. "Beryl doesn't know Gore is alive."
"Yes, he does," began Alice, then checked herself. "I'll tell you later, my dear," she added in a lower tone to Bernard. "I have much to say I don't want my aunt to overhear."
But that lady was too much occupied with Mrs. Moon to listen.
"Well, Moon, how are you?" she said grimly, surveying the giantess. "No younger, I see, and not in good health, I should say."
"What can you expect from damp marshes, my lady?" whimpered Mrs. Moon, who, for some unexplained reason, gave Miss Berengaria this title.
"Rheumatism and ague," said the old dame promptly. "And you look as though you were getting ready for a fever."
"Oh, my lady!"
"Oh, fiddlesticks!" said Miss Berengaria, stalking into the castle. "Have you a good meal ready? If you have, send it up. I'm as hungry as a mosquito after my drive."
"Victoria is laying the table, my lady."