“Chiefly to reassure my friend, your former master, concerning you; and, perhaps, to learn the cause of your very strange conduct.”
“Why should Sir Charles bother his head about me?”
“As I have told you. Because of the coincidence between your departure and Lady—”
“Oh yes, I know that.” Then she added testily: “I was a fool not to manage differently.”
“So you refuse me an explanation?”
“No, I don’t. I have no reason to do so. I came in for some money, and as I have longed all my life to be an actress I could not wait an hour, a moment, before I—before I—”
“Before you tried to gratify your impulse.”
“Yes, that is what I wanted to say.”
“But why not at least have written to Sir Charles, telling him of your intentions?”
The fair Marie was silent for a moment. The question confused her. “I hardly know,” she replied.