“Speak out at once, girl. No fellow-servant of yours will meet with injustice while I am mistress of the Denes.”
“Of course not, my lady.”
“Tell me then, at once, what more Sir Hilton’s groom and valet said.”
“Well, my lady, if I must I must; but it wasn’t Mark’s fault.”
“Certainly not. Go on.”
“Mark said he thought they were going over to the races, but he was not sure.”
“H’m!” sighed Lady Lisle, and then to herself: “Tilborough—the telegram—an excuse.”
Jane backed towards the door, and had already taken the handle, when, after a fierce internal struggle with the jealous rage within her, Lady Lisle said in a slow, would-be careless way: “Did anyone call while I was out?”
“Yes, my lady; Dr Granton.”
“That was while I was away with the pony-carriage, Jane. I returned and saw him.”