“I am afraid not. She had an engagement with Madame Gerbier, her modiste, at eleven, and one with her lawyer at one,” Virgie explained.
Lady Linton thought a moment, then she said:
“Mrs. Alexander told me, a day or two ago, that she had a package belonging to me; do you know anything about it?”
“A package?” repeated Virgie, looking mystified; then she added, quickly, “Oh! perhaps it is that sealed package that mamma’s uncle found so long ago. Is that yours, Lady Linton?”
“Yes. Sealed!—did you say it is sealed?” asked the woman, breathlessly.
“Yes, it is sealed with a strange device and motto.”
“And has it never been opened?” was the eager query.
“Of course not; it is just as mamma’s uncle found it,” Virgie responded, with curling lips, and flushing indignantly at the implied suspicion of the woman.
Lady Linton could have wept for joy. She was saved! her vile secrets were still all her own; and if she could but get that coveted diary into her possession once again, she had nothing to fear; she would burn it without a moment’s hesitation.
“I am very sorry to miss Mrs. Alexander; but perhaps you could get it for me?” she said, insinuatingly.