She turned as she spoke and ran from the room, determined as she went that he should not see the tears in her eyes, tears of weakness and of rage combined.
Lord Melburne stood for a long time when she had left him repeating almost beneath his breath the name ‘Jessica Tansley’.
Then speaking aloud he said,
“I swear I have never heard of the woman.”
Upstairs Clarinda wept in her bedroom for some minutes before resolutely she wiped her eyes and sent for Betty.
“Oh, miss,” Betty cried, as she came into the room. “Has his Lordship told you we’re leavin’ for London this very afternoon? ’Tis the most excitin’ thing I’ve ever known. Are you not thrilled, Miss Clarinda?”
“No, I am not,” Clarinda answered crossly. “I want to stay here, Betty, in the country.”
“Oh, but Miss Clarinda, you’d fee
