While she spoke, she had been idly turning the pages. And now she gave a great cry, such as Marguerite gives over the dead body of Valentine in the fourth act of "Faust."
Mrs. Verulam started round on her sofa, and saw that Chloe's face was pale as death, and that the World was fluttering upside down in her nerveless hand.
"Chloe, what is the matter? Are you ill? Oh, I must ring for Marriner!"
But Chloe pointed to the paper.
"Read—read!" she muttered.
Mrs. Verulam snatched the World from her, and read this innocent little paragraph:
"'A considerable sensation has been caused in the neighbourhood of Florida by the Van Adam divorce, the details of which have only just become generally known. They are, unfortunately, very unfavourable to the beautiful Mrs. Van Adam, from whom the famous orange-grower and millionaire has been freed by the action of the court. A great deal of sympathy is expressed for Mr. Van Adam, whose honeymoon had scarcely concluded when the sad circumstances arose which obliged him to condemn, not merely his wife, but also his trusted friend, Mr. Bream Rockmetteller, the well-known stockbroker. Mr. Van Adam is staying at present at his bungalow in the midst of his orange-groves in Florida. His only companion is said to be the monkey which used in former days to accompany him on all his wanderings.'"
"That's Boswell," Chloe murmured hysterically.
Mrs. Verulam laid the paper down rather impressively.
"Chloe," she said, "you can never get into the cage now, that is certain."