Oh, how she hated the world, and every one in it, and most of all Liane Lester, her guiltless rival.
While she listened, she wished the girl dead a hundred times, and all at once a throbbing memory came to her of the fierce words Granny Jenks had spoken in her rage against Liane.
"I would beat her; yes, I would kill her, before she should steal your grand lover from you darling!"
Roma could understand now the old hag's devotion to herself. It was the tie of their kinship asserting itself. She shuddered with disgust as she recalled the old woman's fulsome admiration and adoration, and how she had been willing to sell her very soul for one kiss from those fresh, rosy lips.
How eagerly she had said:
"I will scold Liane, and whip her, too. I will do anything to please you, beautiful lady!"
No wonder!
Roma was bitterly sorry now that she had not let granny kill Liane when she had been so anxious to do it. She felt that she had made a great mistake, for her position at Cliffdene would never be assured until Liane was dead.
Edmund Clarke was certain now that Liane was his own child, and he swore to Doctor Jay that he would find her soon, if it took the last dollar of his fortune.
The old doctor replied: