“That’s all right, ma’am. It was all a mistake. Will you kindly take charge of this sovereign, and also of the two pounds ten which Miss Angèle lent me?”
“Which Miss Angèle lent you! Two pounds ten! I thought you said your mother——”
“It is mine, please,” said a voice from the broad landing above their heads. Angèle skipped lightly down the stairs and held out her hand. Martin gave her the money.
“I don’t understand this, at all,” said the mystified Miss Walker. “Does Mrs. Saumarez know——”
“Mrs. Saumarez knows nothing. Neither does Martin.”
With wasp-like suddenness, the girl turned and faced a woman old enough to be her grandmother. Their eyes clashed. The child’s look said plainly:
“Dare to utter another word and I’ll disgrace your house throughout the village.”
The woman yielded. She waved a protesting hand. “It is no business of mine. Thank you, Martin, for coming back.”
Angèle lashed out at him next.