Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/117

 unexpected issues seemed to be developing in this case. He felt himself ill-used, in that he had not been sufficiently prepared.

"Did the footman, Edward, know that Lady Hereward wished you to give him up?" was the next question; and it showed Kate the mischief done by her loose way of answering. She had not needed to say that about her mistress and Edward, and she could have boxed her own ears for her carelessness, because, whatever Edward might be, he loved her only too well. Blushing painfully, she said Edward had perhaps guessed at her ladyship's disapproval, but it did not discourage him. He was always hopeful, and as long as he wasn't discharged, there was not much for him to be cross about.

Had Kate ever heard Edward say anything about Lady Hereward, as if he were angry at her attitude toward him? Well, he might have said little things, like any quick-tempered young man would, in the circumstances, but nothing of any importance. She had never thought anything of what he said. Did he refer to the subject when they met in the woods on the afternoon of the murder? Oh, as to that Kate could hardly remember. He might have just mentioned it, no more than a few words. What words? Kate was sure—flushing deeply—that she couldn't repeat them. Such words went in at one ear and out at the other.