Little Ruby, awakened by Elinor's angry tones, sprang upright in the bed, and cried out in the utmost surprise and resentment.
"What is the matter? Why are you scolding my nurse, Miss Glenalvan?"
Elinor turned to Ruby with an instantaneous change of manner.
"Why, you little darling," she cried, with honeyed sweetness, "what an absurd idea! You must have dreamed it all. I was only asking Mary about a gold cuff-button I had dropped on the floor. I am very sorry I disturbed you in your refreshing sleep."
She left the room before the child could challenge her plausible excuse, and returned to Celine.
"I was right, ma'am," the maid cried, triumphantly. "I see it in your face."
Elinor dropped into a chair, and the change in her face was quite striking enough to have excited the woman's exclamation.
She was as white as death, her black eyes gleamed with vindictive rage, her thin lips were set in a cruel line.
"Yes, you were right," she said, in a low, intense voice, "Celine, that girl must go away from here."