"Is Lady Rexford,"—with a tilt of the chin.
Miss Carruthers bent forward.
"Of Suffolk?"
"Yes— Merciful heavens! you are of the Carruthers who are my neighbors when I am at home! I know the judge, your father, well."
"My father!" The burden of her trouble came back to her, the reaction from the intense excitement of the preceding hour. She reached out her arms blindly, and would have fallen had not my sister caught her.
"You wretch!" she cried, "what have you been doing to this girl?"
"Don't be a fool, Nan! I haven't been doing anything. But don't let's have a scene here. Where's your room?"
We were still in the parlor of the hotel, and many curious glances were directed at us. The attendant had set down his heavy and precious burden, and was waiting patiently for further directions from me.
"Don't scold him," said Miss Carruthers; "for he has been very good to me." She stretched out a small white hand, and I clasped it. "Mr. Chadwick, make me a solemn promise."
"What is it?"—wondering.