Susette received a severe scolding for leaving her young mistress, but she did not seem much affected by it.
"She is my mistress, and I should not dare to disobey her orders," she replied, and walked out of the room.
"What shall you do now?" asked Alpine, curiously.
"I must wait and take her on a later train."
Ringing a bell, she sent her own maid to Commonwealth Avenue, to bring home her tardy step-daughter.
Ellen returned with the news that Kathleen had left Mrs. Fox's several hours ago.
"And with Susette, too," said the elderly maid, sourly; for she cherished a secret grudge against Kathleen's maid, who was younger than herself, better looking, and had insnared the affections of James, the butler.
Susette was recalled. On being questioned, she readily admitted that Kathleen had started home with her, but sent her on ahead, promising to follow.
While the angry step-mother stormed and raved over Kathleen's willfulness, awaiting her return in impotent anger, the young girl was flying fast from her tyranny, and nearer to the fate that loomed darkly in the near future.