"What was the cause of your quarrel?" inquired Mr. Colville, curiously.
"It was of no moment," answered Haidee, with a warning glance at her old man; but Peter's fighting blood was up and he did not heed her caution. He proceeded to explain by way of revenge on his angry spouse.
"It was all along of a fine lady, doctor, that Haidee is holding a secret against, and getting lots of money from on account of it, which she refuses to share, either the money or the secret, with her poor old husband."
"Who is the lady, and what secret have you got against her?" inquired Doctor Pratt, looking sternly at her.
"It is no concern of yours, doctor," was the sullen reply.
"Her name was Mrs. Vance," said Peter, taking a malicious joy in circumventing old Haidee.
"Good Heavens," said Doctor Pratt, remembering how incautiously he had talked to Colville about the widow in Haidee's presence. "Why, you she-devil, is it possible you have been trading upon the suspicions you heard me breathe about the woman?"
The old witch would not answer, but Peter, taking on himself the role of spokesman, replied for her:
"I can't tell you where she got suspicions or her information, sir, but she has certainly made a good bit by her knowledge, for she has gathered in all the lady's money, and now begins to strip her of her jewels. Fine ladies don't part with things like these until all their money has gone the same gait," said he, holding up the brooch and the jeweled serpent whose emerald eyes glared like living ones.
"It's a lie—I've only had money of her once," said old Haidee fiercely. "She is a poor woman, and has nothing to pay with."