Miss Catheron left the room. In five minutes she reappeared, closely veiled, as when he had met her on the stairs. The adieux were hastily made. He gave her his arm and led her down to the close brougham. As they passed before the drawing-room windows, Miss Stuart uttered an exclamation:
"Oh! I say! where is Sir Victor going in the rain, and who is the dismal-looking lady in black? Edith, who is it? You ought to know."
"I don't know," Edith answered briefly, not looking up from her book.
"Hasn't Sir Victor told you?"
"I haven't asked Sir Victor."
"Oh, you haven't, and he hasn't told? Well, all I have to say is, that when I'm engaged I hope the object of my affections will keep no secrets from me."
"As if he could!" murmurs Captain Hammond.
"I declare, he is going off with her. Edith, do come and look. There! they are driving away together, as fast as they can go."
But Edith never stirred. If she felt the slightest curiosity on the subject, her face did not show it.
They drove rapidly through the rain, and barely caught the train at that. He placed her hurriedly in an empty carriage, a moment before it started. As it flew by he caught one last glimpse of a veiled face, and a hand waving farewell. Then the train and the woman were out of sight.