"What do you mean about Miss O'Callaghan and his lordship?"
"Was I her maid for three years and not know her secrets?"
I begged Biddy to explain, which she refused to do; but I gathered enough from her to judge that my surmise had been correct, and that Norah was wholly his lordship's if he could get fair speech with her.
"Biddy," said I, "you're a good girl, and if you can bring Miss O'Callaghan to see me at half-past eleven to-morrow I'll dance at your wedding."
"I'll go to her now," she said; "rest quiet, now, till I come back."
When Biddy had gone I was almost sorry that I had not taken her completely into my confidence, but her interest seemed so deeply engaged on my behalf that I felt sure she would work strongly on Miss O'Callaghan's feelings; and so it proved, for she returned in an hour to say that the lady would come on the following morning. After this piece of news I calmly went to sleep again, and only awoke to find Biddy once more at my bedside with breakfast.
I assured her that I felt somewhat better, and would be ready for Miss O'Callaghan when she came. Just as I had finished breakfast I heard St. Alleyne's voice below. Presently Biddy came up with curiosity shining from her face.
"Why didn't ye tell me," she said, "that ye knew his lordship?"
"Biddy, can I trust you?" I asked.
She tossed her head. "Thrust me," she said, "an' why not, sure?"