The library door opened: "Miss White."
"Mr. Ferguson! Where—? What—?"
"Miss White, that—creature, is never to cross my threshold again. Do you understand me? Never again. Nannie, your brother is a scoundrel. Read that." He flung the letter on the floor between them, and went back to his library. They heard the key turn in the lock. Miss White stared at the shut door blankly; Nannie picked up the letter. It was headed "The Mayor's Office," and was dated the day before; no address was given.
"Dear Uncle Robert: I married Blair Maitland this afternoon. David did not want me. E.F."
They read it, looked at each other with astounded eyes, then read it again. Nannie was the first to find words:
"I—don't understand." Miss White was dumb; her poor upper lip quivered wildly.
"She and David are to be married," Nannie stammered. "How can she marry—anybody else? I don't understand."
Then Miss White broke out, "I understand. Oh, wicked boy! My child, my lamb! He has killed my child Elizabeth!"
"Who has? What do you mean? What are you talking about!"
"He has lured her away from David," the old woman wailed shrilly. "Nannie, Nannie, your brother is an evil, cruel man—a false man, a false friend. Oh, my lamb! my girl!"