"I know that, ma'am," the girl answered frankly.
"I daresay you know something of the cause. My husband is angry about—about an accidental meeting which arose between a gentleman and me. It was entirely accidental on my part; but he does not choose to believe this, and——" The thought of Daniel Granger's accusation flashed upon her in this moment in all its horror, and she broke down, sobbing hysterically.
The girl brought her mistress a chair, and was on her knees beside her in a moment, comforting her and imploring her to be calm.
"The trouble will pass away, ma'am," said the maid, soothingly. "Mr. Granger will come to see his mistake. He can't be angry with you long, I'm sure; he loves you so."
"Yes, yes, he has been very good to me—better than I have ever deserved; but that is all over now. He won't believe me—he will hardly listen to me. He is going to take away my boy, Jane."
"Going to take away Master Lovel?"
"Yes; my darling is to go back to Arden, and I am to go to papa."
"What!" cried Jane Target, all the woman taking fire in her honest heart. "Part mother and child! He couldn't do that; or if he could, he shouldn't, while I had the power to hinder him."
"How are we to prevent him, Jane—you and I?"
"Let's take the darling away, ma'am, before he can stop us."