Aunt Harriet fixed an imploring glance on Annette, who explained that she had seen a dogcart in the courtyard, and how later she had seen Mr. Stirling driving in it.
"I wished, Harriet," said Aunt Maria, without looking at her sister, "that you had not asked him if he had read my books."
"But he had, Maria. He was only doubtful the first minute, till I told him some of the names, and then——"
"Then the poor man perjured himself."
"And I thought that was so true how he said to you, 'You and I, Miss Nevill, have no time in our hard-worked lives to read even the best modern fiction.'"
"I found time to read The Magnet," said Aunt Maria in a hollow voice.
At this moment the door opened and Hodgkins the parlour-maid advanced into the room bearing a tray, which she put down in an aggressive manner on a small table beside Annette.
"I am certain Hodgkins is vexed about something," said Aunt Harriet solemnly, when that functionary had withdrawn. "I am as sensitive as a mental thermometer to what others are feeling, and I saw by the way she set the tray down that she was angry. She must have guessed that I've found out about the Alberts."
"Perhaps she guessed that Annette was starving," said Aunt Maria.