When Mrs. Monmouth reached the hotel in Newport, something over an hour after bidding Parkson farewell, Cecily awaited her in the little sitting-room.
"Are you ready, madame, to dress for dinner?" asked the maid.
"Yes, Cecily, and I shall dine here to-night."
She went into the bedroom, and Cecily disrobed her. During this ceremony the girl hesitated once or twice on the point of speaking, then refrained.
"Well, what is it, Cecily? What is it you want to say?"
"It is something important, madame, that has occurred."
Mrs. Beecher Monmouth turned and opened her eyes in interrogation.
"What, for instance?" she demanded.
Cecily, who was at the wardrobe, took out her mistress's evening skirt.
"To-day, madame, when you were away, I made acquaintance of one of the men at Heatherpoint Fort——"