No one moved or spoke until the
house-door banged after him.
Then Mme. Blanche, seeing all was lost, gave one horrible scream,
clasped her hands over her head, and fell back in violent hysterics.
"Ring for her maid, guardy," said Mollie. "You had best take her up to
her room. Sir Roger, Mr. Ingelow, please to remain. Mr. Sardonyx, excuse
me, but you have heard all that it is necessary you should hear."
The lawyer became angry-red, but turned at once to go.
"I have no wish to pry into your very extraordinary secrets or
escapades, Miss Dane," he said, haughtily. "Permit me to wish you
good-evening."
Mr. Sardonyx departed. Mr. Walraven saw his wife safely conveyed to
her room and left in charge of her maid, and then returned to the
dining-room.
Mollie's first act was to hold out both hands, with infinite grace and
courtesy, to Hugh Ingelow.
"Mr. Ingelow, words are poor and weak to tell you how I thank you. I
have not deserved it from you. I can only ask you to try and forgive
me."
The young artist lifted the fair little hands to his lips.
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