“So they did, madam,” Alice said soberly.
Lady Betty stared.
“The child’s demented,” she remarked, shaking her head.
“That I’m not,” Alice replied bluntly, wiping a tear from her pale cheek, “but I hate to think of one of them dead—for some folly, too.”
“Oh, ho!” said her mistress, setting down the taper, “now I understand—there is to be a duel;” then suddenly her mood changed.
“Who were they?” she demanded sharply.
Alice began to show reluctance and her eyes avoided Betty’s.
“Two guests of the inn, madam,” she said, averting her face.
But Lady Clancarty caught her arm and turned her to the light.
“Out with it, Alice,” she said imperiously, “I will know.”