Her prospects did indeed look dark, for if Molly should tell what she knew and get any one to believe her, Louise’s fortune for which she had schemed and plotted would be ruined.
“Aunt Thalia would certainly drive me away from her forever if she found out about John Keith and the deception I practiced to gain her fortune,” she thought, fearfully, and her wrath against Molly grew and strengthened with every hour.
“I could kill her—the little mar-plot! Why did she marry Cecil Laurens? All would have gone well but for that!” she muttered, clinching her hands angrily again as she had done when Molly’s helpless fingers lay between them.
When she reached the Langham where she and old Mrs. Barry had luxurious apartments, she went at once and told her aunt the same garbled story she had told Mrs. Laurens about her summary ejectment from The Acacias.
The old lady was furious.
“She ought to be hung—that Molly Trueheart!” she exclaimed, viciously, and Louise answered, with equal venom:
“Yes, but instead of being punished for her sin they are going to shield her from disgrace and drive poor Cecil Laurens into a new entanglement with her for the sake of a scruple of honor.”
“It shall not be. It is the wish of my heart that Cecil should marry you. We must prevent this sacrifice!” Mrs. Barry stormed.
“But how, Aunt Thalia?”
“Send for that John Keith wherever he is, Louise. I’ll bribe him to take her away before they push Cecil into a second marriage!”