“The man is right,” she remarked calmly; “’tis easy enough to screw out the truth. But verily, Sir Wizard, is there not more to tell?”
The little magician shrugged his shoulders.
“I have told enough,” he said; “a woman who is near fourscore should know the rest without telling.”
This reference to Lady Crabtree’s age brought the angry blood to her face; she never admitted it to any one, and to find that this strange creature knew it, moved her to wrath. She rose and gathered her mantle about her.
“Come Betty,” she said sharply, “we but waste time on this fool. Let us begone.”
The wizard sat laughing silently, his sinister face lighted up with malicious enjoyment.
Betty lingered a moment, while Lady Crabtree hurried to the door.
“Is there nothing else?” she asked earnestly; “no other way?”
“If you follow my instructions,” replied the wizard, “all will be well; if not—” He shrugged his shoulders.