In the nervous irritability of the moment, Lady Janet resented the servant's appearance as a positive offense on the part of the harmless man.

"Who sent for you ?" she asked, sharply.

"What do you mean by interrupting us ?" The servant made his excuses in an oddly bewildered manner.
"I beg your ladyship's pardon.

I wished to take the liberty--I wanted to speak to Mr.Julian Gray." "What is it ?" asked Julian.
The man looked uneasily at Lady Janet, hesitated, and glanced at the door, as if he wished himself well out of the room again.
"I hardly know if I can tell you, sir, before her ladyship," he answered.
Lady Janet instantly penetrated the secret of her servant's hesitation.
"I know what has happened," she said; "that abominable woman has found her way here again.

Am I right ?" The man's eyes helplessly consulted Julian.
"Yes, or no ?" cried Lady Janet, imperatively.
"Yes, my lady." Julian at once assumed the duty of asking the necessary questions.
"Where is she ?" he began.
"Somewhere in the grounds, as we suppose, sir." "Did _you_ see her ?" "No, sir." "Who saw her ?" "The lodge-keeper's wife." This looked serious.