Simone stepped quite close, and looked steadfastly at her.
'Victoire!'
CHAPTER XXIV
ELISE PASSES OUT
'Pray, sit down, Simone.'
It was Colonel Sampson's voice, even and decorous, that broke in on the strained silence. He drew a chair up to the oaken table as he spoke. Simone obeyed, holding a hand out as if for support. Marion took the hand and held it, gently passing her own palm across the trembling fingers. Motioning Victoire into the room, Mrs. Curnow quietly shot the bolt and latched the other door that gave on to the kitchen passages. Mistress Keziah looked curiously from face to face, then with a slight gesture she turned to Colonel Sampson.
Bending over Simone, whose eyes never left the woman at the door, Sampson spoke.
'Tell us, if you can, my dear, who this woman is.'
'My nurse,' instantly replied Simone.
'Your nurse?' repeated Mistress Keziah in a clear, steady voice. 'You are not mistaken?' She looked from Marion who, speechless, was staring at Victoire, to Sampson. The Colonel nodded once or twice, with a smile. Simone leaned her brow on her hand for a minute, then looked up at him. Her whole face was transformed.