Audrey relapsed into silence.
By and by Lady Frances came back; she was still accompanied by Read.
“What does a servant want in this room?” said Evelyn in her most disagreeable voice.
“Evelyn, come here,” said her aunt; “I have something to say to you.”
Evelyn went very unwillingly. Read stood a little in the background.
“Evelyn,” said Lady Frances, “I have just heard something that surprises me extremely, that pains me inexpressibly; it is true, so there is no use in your denying it, but I must tell you what Read has discovered.”
“Read!” cried Evelyn, her voice choking with passion and her face white. “Who believes what a tell-tale-tit of that sort says?”
“You must not be impertinent, my dear. I wish to tell you that Read has found you out. Your maid Jasper has not left this neighborhood, and you, Evelyn—you are naughty enough and daring enough to meet her every night by the stile that leads into the seven-acre meadow. Read observed your absence one night, and followed you herself to-night, and she discovered everything.”
“Did you hear what I was saying to Jasper?” asked Evelyn, turning her white face now and looking full at Read.
“No, Miss Evelyn,” replied the maid; “I would not demean myself to listen.”