“To think of your concealing this from me for so long!” she cried: “and Sir Justin abetting you! I shall tell him very plainly what I think of him! But if my daughter sets an example in treachery, what can one expect of one's friends?”
“After all, mamma, it was my own and Rudolph's concern more than your's!” exclaimed Alicia, flaring up for an instant.
“Don't answer me, child!” thundered the Countess. “Fetch me a railway time-table, and say nothing that may add to your sin!”
“A time-table, mamma? What for?”
“I am going to Scotland,” pronounced the Countess.
“Then I shall go too!”
“Indeed you shall not. You will wait here till I have brought Rudolph back to you.”
The Baroness said nothing aloud, but within her wounded heart she thought bitterly,
“Mamma seems to forget that even worms will turn sometimes!”