"I think I have paid a little of my debt, Miss Natty," she thought. "I'll pay it all, my dear, I hope, before either of us die."
In the silent solitude of her lonely room, Lady Leroy had ample time to nurse her wrath before the return of her ward. It was nearly noon before that young lady reached home, her pretty face glowing with her rapid walk.
"Midge," was her first breathless question, "has Catty Clowrie been here this morning?"
Midge answered in the affirmative, and Nathalie's heart sank. All the way up-stairs she was preparing herself for a violent outburst of wrath; but, to her astonishment, Lady Leroy was quite tranquil. She glanced very hard at her, it is true, and her fingers were clawing empty air very viciously, but her voice was not loud nor angry.
"You're very late, aren't you?" she said. "What kept you?"
"I ran down to see mamma. Miss Rose told me she was not very well; but I hurried home as fast as I could. I'll make out those bills now."
"Let the bills wait awhile," said the old lady. "I have something to tell you."
This was an ominous commencement, and Nathalie looked at her in some dread.
"Who was it you walked into town with this morning?" she asked, glaring harder than ever.
Catty had told, then. All the blood in Nathalie's body seemed blazing in her face, as she answered: