“I know that my mistress was always listening at first to that dreadful Italian,” said Dolly.
“No, no—you, you,” cried Justine.
“I fought against it, and mastered it,” said Dolly proudly; “Lady Maude found it too much, I suppose.”
“Well, I never!” ejaculated Mrs Downes.
“Go on,” cried Tom.
“And then she got to dropping notes to him out of the window, my lord.”
“It isn’t true,” cried Tom. “Woman, you ought to be turned out of the house.”
“Oh, it’s true, though,” said Mrs Downes.
“Silence, you silly old meat murdress,” raged Tom.
“Meat what?” cried the cook. “There are times, my lord, when one must speak. I’ve seen a deal in my time, and there’s no doubt about it. We’re all very sorry for you, but we all knows that my young lady’s been drove to go away with that dark young man.”