"I
told him."
Her mistress stood as though turned to stone. I could guess her
anguish and humiliation.
"He questioned me--he learned everything--the drawer, how it was
opened--all. But I did not suspect what was in his mind--not for an
instant did I suspect. But on the boat I saw him, and then I knew.
Well, he has got what he deserved!"
She shivered and pressed her hands against her eyes.
"I think that is all, madame," she added, hoarsely.
"It is all of that story," said Godfrey, in a crisp voice; "but there
is another."
"Another?" echoed the veiled lady, looking at him.
"Ask her, madame, for what purpose she called at this house, night
before last, and saw Philip Vantine in this room."
"I did not!" shrieked the girl, her face ablaze. "It is a lie!"
"She does not need to tell!" went on Godfrey inexorably. "Any fool
could guess. She came for the letters! She had resolved herself to
blackmail you, madame!"
"It is a lie!" shrieked the girl again. "I came hoping to save her
--to...."
A storm of angry sobbing choked her.
I could see how the veiled lady was trembling. I placed a chair for
her, and she sank into it with a murmur of thanks.
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