Sarah herself was a long, thin, flat-chested person. Totally devoid of imagination, her horizon was so limited that outside the Family nothing or nobody mattered. And yet she was not in the least domesticated. In fact, she was not in the least anything. She was nobly and consistently null, without opinions or ideas, without humor, charm or amenity. Her mental outlook had somehow thrown back to the 1840’s, yet with all her limitations, apart from which very little remained of her, she was a thoroughly sound, exceedingly honest Christian gentlewoman of thirty-eight.
Sarah, it seemed, having heard Muriel’s story, had taken counsel of the dowager. And at once realizing the extreme gravity of the whole affair, both ladies determined to make the most of a long-sought opportunity to give the housekeeper her quietus. Sarah herself, who was inclined to be embittered and vindictive on this particular point, fell in only too readily with Aunt Charlotte’s desire to take full advantage of such a golden chance. Called upon now to divulge all that she knew, the eldest daughter re-told Muriel’s remarkable story of her meeting with Mrs. Sanderson, Jack and the girl, in the course of political endeavors at Laxton. The story, amazing as it was, was undoubtedly authentic.
“Of course, father,” was Sarah’s conclusion, very pointedly expressed, “she will simply have to go. And the sooner the better, as no doubt you agree.”
To Sarah’s deep annoyance, however, her sire seemed very far from agreeing.
“There is no direct evidence of collusion,” he said. “And knowing Mrs. Sanderson to be an old and tried servant, who has always had our welfare at heart, I am very unwilling to place such a construction upon what may be no more than a rather odd coincidence.”
Sarah was too deeply angry to reply. But she looked on grimly while the ruthless Charlotte showly marshaled her forces. The quarrel was a very pretty one. Yet the Duke, now his back was to the wall, was able to take excellent care of himself. Moreover, he flatly declined to hear a worthy woman traduced until she had had a chance of meeting charges so recklessly, and as it seemed, malevolently brought against her.
“From the way in which you speak of her,” said the incensed Charlotte, “you appear to regard her as a person of importance.”
“Charlotte, I regard her as thoroughly honest, trustworthy, competent—in fact a good woman in every way.”
“You willfully blind yourself, Johnnie. This creature has thrown dust in your eyes. But it will be no more than you deserve if one day her niece is installed as mistress here. You will not live to see it, yet it would be no more than bare justice if you did.”
“Pernicious nonsense,” rejoined his Grace. “Perhaps in the circumstances it would be well to hear what Mrs. Sanderson has to say for herself.”