"But, sir, it's true as gospel! And her poor granny is in a fine taking over it, too. She says as how Liane was cruel to go off so, and leave her in poverty to end her days in the poorhouse!"
"Where is the old woman? I should like to see her," he said dismally, hoping for some light.
"She's out, sir, looking for the girl, swearing to kill the man as persuaded her off."
"And the family?"
"All out, sir. Mrs. Brinkley went to market, and her sister Lizzie to the store, where she and Liane worked."
Devereaux pressed a dollar into the good-natured servant's hand, and stumbled back to the carriage, almost blind with pain from this sudden stroke of fate.
The servant looked after him with mingled wonder, admiration, and gratitude, and describing him afterward to the family, exclaimed:
"The prettiest man I ever saw in my life—coal-black eyes and hair, straight nose, dimple in his chin, slim, white hands, diamond ring, good clothes, fit to kill! He must 'ave been another of Liane's beaus, for, when I told him she had eloped, he turned white as a corpse, and kind of staggered, like I had hit him in the face. But he didn't forget his company manners, for he bowed like a prince and put a whole silver dollar in my hand as he went back to his carriage."
"That sounds like Jesse Devereaux, Miss Clarke's lover!" cried Sophie Nutter, and Mrs. Brinkley said quickly: