"I?" cried Olivetta. "Never a syllable!"
"Nor I, ma'am,—never!" declared Matilda.
"But first, Matilda, I must acquaint you with a situation that has just arisen." And Mrs. De Peyster outlined such details of her predicament as she thought Matilda needed to know. "And now, here are my orders, Matilda. The house, of course, is being boarded up as usual. All the servants are sent away except William; and that order, if you have given it, for a maid for me is to be countermanded. You, Matilda, are to remain here alone in charge of the house as has been your custom. The report that I am sailing is to be allowed to stand. But in reality—"
"Yes, in reality?" cried the excited Olivetta.
"In reality," continued Mrs. De Peyster calmly, for she knew how a dénouement is heightened by a quiet manner—"in reality, I shall, during the entire summer, stay here in my own house."
"Stay here!" ejaculated Olivetta.
"Stay here!" exclaimed Matilda.
"Stay here. Chiefly in my suite. Secretly, of course. No one but you two will ever know of it. By staying here, I shall be practically at no expense. But the world will think I am in Europe, and my position will be saved."
Staggered as she was, Olivetta had remaining a few fragments of reason.