And Augustina, who already had her breakfast beside her, raised her handkerchief to her eyes and began to cry. Laura threw up her head and walked away to a far window, where she turned and confronted Mrs. Fountain.
"Well, he has been quick in telling you," she said, in a low but fierce voice.
"He? What do you mean? My brother? As if he had said a word! I don't believe he ever would. But Mrs. Denton heard it all."
"Mrs. Denton?" said Laura. "Mrs. Denton? What on earth had she to do with it?"
"She heard you drive up. You know her room looks on the front."
"And she listened? sly old creature!" said Laura, recovering herself. "Well, it can't be helped. If she heard, she heard, and whatever I may feel, I'm not going to apologise to Mrs. Denton."
"But, Laura—Laura—was he——"
Augustina could not finish the odious question.
"I suppose he was," said Laura bitterly. "It seems to be the natural thing for young men of that sort."
"Laura, do come here."