“Left her with m’sister,” Freddy replied. “She came to ask Kit to help her.”
“Ah, she has a heart of gold, this Kitty, and she will do so!” the Chevalier exclaimed, his brow lightening a little.
“Daresay she might, but she ain’t there,” said Freddy stolidly.
“Not there! Where then is she?”
“Gone down to my great-uncle’s. Poor girl’s at a standstill: don’t know what to do! Seemed to me I’d best come and tell you about it. Thing is, she can’t stay in Berkeley Square. First place that Broughty woman will think of, when she starts searching for her.”
“But tell me, I beg of you! It is not— mon Dieu, it is not that madame has discovered—? It is not I who am the cause—?”
“Oh, no, nothing of that nature! You know Sir Henry Gosford? Offered for her.”
‘“That ancient!” the Chevalier said contemptuously. “I know well the intentions of Madarne Broughty, but Olivia will laugh at the vieillard! ”
“Wasn’t laughing when I saw her. Said her mother would kill her if she didn’t do as she was bid. Shouldn’t think she would, myself, but no use telling Miss Broughty that: in the deuce of a pucker, y’know! Trembling all over.”
“Ah, la pauvre! it is a dragon de femme, that one, but she cannot force that angel to the altar, after all! She will scold, she will threaten, but she will not harm her own daughter! This Sir Henry will be forgotten—I too must be forgotten!— and one day, I am assured, she will meet another— un brave homme! —and she will be happy. To think of it is to tear the heart from my body, but I must wish it for her sake—I must accustom myself to the thought!”