"That I do not know, my dear; it belongs to your department."
"But even the Chaldean magicians could not interpret the dream that was not told to them," Mrs. Busby suggested, with smiling satisfaction. "How can I have the missing quality supplied, if you cannot tell me what it is you miss?"
"You can divine, my dear, quite as well as the Chaldean magicians."
"Then if that is true, aunt Serena," Rotha put in desperately, "will you please tell me where Mr. Southwode is?"
"Her divining rod is not long enough for that," said Mr. Busby. "Mr.
Southwode is on the high seas somewhere, on his way to England."
"On the high seas!" Rotha repeated slowly.
"There was no occasion to mention that, Mr. Busby," said his wife. "Mr.
Southwode's movements are nothing to us."
"Seem to be something to Rotha," said the gentleman.
"You knew that," said Rotha, steadily. "Why did you keep it from me, aunt
Serena?"
"I did not keep it from you," Mrs. Busby returned, bridling. "The papers are open. I did not speak of it, because Mr. Southwode and his affairs are no concern of yours, or of mine, and therefore are not interesting."