The woman whom Queenie had addressed, and who had the appearance of being the housekeeper, stood still and looked at the young girl a moment without replying.
"Is Captain Ernscliffe at home?" repeated Queenie, in a tone of wistful eagerness.
"What do you want of Captain Ernscliffe?" asked the woman, rudely, as she stared suspiciously into the troubled, white face of the beautiful questioner.
Queenie drew her slight figure haughtily erect.
"My business is with Captain Ernscliffe," she said, in a cool, firm tone that rebuked the woman's impertinent curiosity. "Can I see him?"
"Oh, yes, certainly," said the housekeeper, with a palpable sneer. She was offended because Queenie had failed to gratify her curiosity.
"Show me in at once, then," said Queenie, making a motion to step across the threshold.
But the woman held the door in her hand and placed herself in front of it.
"You'll have to travel many a mile from this to see him," she said, maliciously.
"What do you mean?" exclaimed Queenie, turning pale. "Is he not at home? I will wait here until he comes then."