But the young woman's next words dismissed this idea.
"When so many poor people were drowned!" said she.

And the mystification increased.
Presently there was a knock at the outer door, which the maid answered, returning with Mr.Steele's card.
"Is he there ?" asked Rachel, hastily.
"No, madame, but one of the servants is waiting for an answer.

I think there is something written on the back, madame." Rachel read the harmless request on the back of the card; nothing could have been better calculated to turn away suspicion of one sort or another, and there was obvious design in the absence of an envelope.

But Rachel was not yet in the secret, and she was determined not to wait an hour longer than she need.
"What is the time, please ?" "I will see, madame." The girl glided out and in.
"Well ?" "A quarter to ten, madame." "Then order my breakfast for a quarter past, and let Mr.Steele be told that I shall be delighted to see him at eleven o'clock.".