She had not, however, had a suspicion of who was to be the favored maiden, until she came so suddenly upon that group in the Japanese parlor, when she had taken in at a glance the mortifying and exasperating truth, and immediately she was wrought almost into a frenzy between anger and fear, and ready to adopt the most daring measures to protect herself from exposure.
But to return to the Japanese parlor.
Lady Linton arose as she replied to her brother’s questions, and signified her readiness to leave immediately.
“Wait a moment here,” he said, “while I go to make our excuses to Lady Dunforth and tell Lillian that we are going.”
“No—oh, do not leave me, William!” pleaded Lady Linton, growing frightfully pale again and trembling visibly; she would not trust him one moment in that drawing-room, lest he should meet Virginia Alexander. “I am afraid I shall have another fainting turn. Let Rupert see her ladyship. Will you?” she asked, turning to him.
“Certainly,” he answered, readily.
“Thank you. And now, William, if you will please ring for a servant to bring my wraps here. I do not feel equal to the effort of going for them.”
Sir William did as she requested, wondering to see her so unnerved. Nothing had ever seemed to unsettle her like this before.
“And, Rupert,” she continued, “won’t you be so good as to look after Lillian for the rest of the evening, and see that she gets home safely?”
“I will do anything you wish,” the young man returned, although he was not very well pleased with this latter commission, for he had anticipated a pleasant drive and chat with Virgie, as it had been his intention to attend her home.