She had heard voices there, while passing, and stepped to the door-way, impelled by an unusual curiosity.
She took in the situation instantly.
Her brother had told her that he could not attend Lady Dunforth’s reception that evening, and, ever since her encounter with Mrs. Alexander, she had been congratulating herself that he had been detained, while now she had found him here, sitting face to face with his own daughter, and perhaps upon the very verge of discovering her relationship to him.
She could have shrieked aloud with terror and anger.
Must all her skillfully wrought plans come to naught?
Had she sacrificed truth and honor for years, to fail now—to have the woman whom she had hated all her life triumph over her at last?
No! She would fight it out to the bitter end; if there was any power on earth that could keep them apart they should never meet, and she must begin now—this instant, by breaking up this interesting group.
“William!” she cried, in a strangely altered voice, “you here!”
Sir William started up at the words, turned and saw his sister standing upon the threshold with a face of ghastly whiteness.
“Yes. What is the matter, Miriam?” and he sprang forward and caught her in his arms, just as she was falling to the floor in a well-feigned swoon.