“‘You were right, Miss Mead. The stupid driver brought us to the wrong place; but, unfortunately, he has gone, so I had to send out and order another carriage, which will soon be here. In the meantime I judged it wise to order refreshments for you, as it grows late and you must feel the need of food.’
“Nothing could have been more kind and respectful than his manner, yet a dark cloud of terror brooded over my mind. I knew well that many gay young girls would have regarded the affair as only a merry lark, without suspecting evil; but I was full of apprehension over the anxiety Mrs. Maynard and my schoolmates were suffering. I was afraid of a scolding, and I was vaguely distrustful of the elegant young man who had taken me under his protection in such a masterful way. So, although I was almost sinking with weariness and fear, and had taken no food since breakfast, I felt no sensation of hunger; and, shaking my head dolefully, I declared that I could not eat.
“The attendant had left us alone now, and Mr. Stanley poured out a glass of wine and offered it to me.
“‘At least drink this claret,’ he said, in a pleading tone. ‘You are wet and chilled, and a glass of wine may prevent your taking a heavy cold.’
“I knew that what he said was true, but a subtle instinct warned me not to place the tempting glass to my lips, and we were beginning to have quite an argument, he insisting, I refusing, when, suddenly, the door was burst violently open, and an old gray-haired man rushed into the room.
“He sprang toward my companion, clutching his arm with a haste that made him drop the glass of wine, to shiver into a hundred fragments on the floor. He turned quickly, and they were face to face, both seeming to forget my presence.”
“Ah!” breathed Lena Lavarre, like one awaking from a trance of horror, her deep eyes burning on Violet’s face.
With a violent shudder, the young girl proceeded:
“‘Ah, Adelbert Stanley, you know me, do you not?’ cried the old man, hoarsely and angrily. ‘I am the father of Lena Lavarre, the poor girl you betrayed by a mock marriage, and deserted in this great, wicked city, and I have tracked you down! I saw you entering this place, and I followed you to demand justice!’
“‘Justice!’ sneered the infamous betrayer of innocence.