‘What is all this about?’ exclaimed Mrs Courtney, as she entered the room. ‘Lizzie, you ought to know better than to let Maraquita excite herself with talking, when she has scarcely recovered from her late illness. She will have a relapse, if we do not take care.’
She had heard from Jessica that the Doctor’s daughter had entered the house, and, fearful of what she might have come to say, had hastened to the rescue of her daughter. Lizzie stood before her, silent and confused, but Quita appealed to her mother’s protection at once.
‘Mamma, just hear what Lizzie has told me. She says there is a baby at her bungalow which was left in the charge of her father, and she accuses me of being the mother of it, and wants me to tell a lie to you and papa, in order to screen herself from suspicion.’
‘Lizzie accuses you of being a mother!’ exclaimed Mrs Courtney, with well-acted surprise. ‘Oh, it is impossible! Quita, you are dreaming!’
‘Tell mamma if I am dreaming, Lizzie! Repeat to her what you said just now.’
‘I shall do no such thing, Quita! I said what I did to you in confidence, and I refuse to repeat it to any one.’
‘Because you know how mamma would resent such a foul calumny. Oh, mamma,’ continued Quita to her mother, ‘what have I ever done to be accused of such a dreadful thing? What would Sir Russell say if he heard of it?’
‘I cannot believe my ears,’ said Mrs Courtney. ‘Do I hear aright, Lizzie, that you have dared to link my daughter’s name with such a shameful story? What induced you to do it? Speak! I must have an answer.’
‘I cannot speak, Mrs Courtney; I have nothing to say.’
‘Because you know yourself to be guilty. Don’t imagine that we have not heard the scandal that is abroad concerning you. But I little thought you would have the audacity to try and throw the blame upon my poor Maraquita, she who has been like a sister to you.’