Page:Lady Barbarity; a romance (IA ladybarbarityrom00snai).pdf/223

 to relieve me was ready to sacrifice himself. He was in my room awaiting me. Entering, I closed the door, turned the key and put it in my pocket.

"Would you spoil all, then?" I bitterly began.

"You have told lies," says he in his coarse fashion.

"For you," says I, swiftly.

My look caused the deepest tawny to creep into his face.

"You swore upon your oath," says he, "that to harbour me would place you in no danger. Madam, you have lied."

"I shall be glad for you to prove that," I answered languidly.

I should have been inclined to enjoy his anger and his insolence I think, had there not been a note of warning in his tone that frightened me. That he had made his mind up on this point was very plain.

"I will prove it in three words," says he. "First I read the paper you crumpled up and cast into the grate. My other information I have pulled out of Mrs. Polly Emblem."

"Oh, the wretched wench!" cries I, and summoned her from my dressing-room immediately.

The fool came as limp as rags, and cowered from my anger pitifully.

"If you please, your la'ship," she whimpered, "'a fairly tore it from my breast. I could not help myself, my lady—'deed I couldn't—that's a fact."