Violet turned coldly away. She certainly wished no secret understanding with Mrs. Yorke’s servants. But as she passed on down the long corridor, old Betty glided softly to her side, and bending her head, whispered in a hissing tone:
“Be on your guard! There is fraud and wrong-doing around you. You have been fearfully wronged, young lady. No; you need not shrink from me in that cold, scornful fashion. Take my advice and visit the east chamber at the first opportunity. Stay there as long as possible, and if you can stay there alone, do so. Never give up the search until you have proved my words to be true.”
Violet lifted her head with a haughty gesture.
“I shall complain to Mrs. Yorke of you!” she said, sternly. “I share no secrets with Mrs. Yorke’s servants; please remember that!”
But as she passed on down the corridor and descended the staircase, Betty’s keen gray eyes followed the slight figure with a malignant expression, and she muttered hoarsely:
“Ah, my fine young lady, you will be glad to take all that back, and look to old Betty for assistance, before many days have come and gone. There is trouble coming—awful trouble for you, Miss Violet Arleigh, and I would save you if you would let me!”
Then she went slowly back to Mrs. Yorke’s chamber, that inscrutable expression still upon her wrinkled face, and her gray eyes full of sullen wrath.
CHAPTER XX.
VIOLET OBEYS.