A heavy veil was drawn across her face, a covering which she took the precaution not to remove until the maid had retired and closed the door.
"My maid tells me your call is upon business," said Miss Chandler, curtly. "I have but a few moments to spare, therefore, you will excuse me if I ask you to be brief."
Without a word the veil was lifted, revealing the lovely features of Leonie Cuyler.
Miss Chandler was on the point of crying out, but by a mighty effort restrained the inclination.
She drew herself up coldly, a thousand lightning flashes darting from her eyes.
"To what am I indebted for the honor of this visit?" she asked icily.
"It is to tell you that I have come," returned Leonie, quietly taking a chair that had not been offered her. "Will you excuse me if I consume a little of your valuable time in telling you how I risked my freedom and my honor only a short time ago to save you from the consequences of your own folly. Will you——"
"No, I will not!" interrupted Miss Chandler sternly. "I am quite convinced that you have not come here without a purpose, therefore I request that you state it as speedily as possible, and without all this circumlocution. If you wish to impress me with the idea that I am under an obligation to you, I may as well assure you in the beginning that I do not recognize the fact; and even if I did, I am not one to be influenced by such considerations."
"Very well," said Leonie, assuming something of Miss Chandler's own manner. "If you are determined to have this war and not peace, I am ready for you.
"There was one," she continued, "to whom I owe more than I could ever repay were I granted a thousand years of life. No brother could have shown me greater tenderness, greater consideration, greater mercy."