Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/166

 said, marking her brother with an intent eye, "The plot thickens."

"Plot?" he said, warily.

"Do you wish me to believe that you have not heard the latest development?"

"Why speak in riddles, Charlotte?" He was trying to suppress a growing irritability.

Charlotte smiled frostily. "One should make allowances, no doubt, for natural simplicity. But even to the aloofness of philosophers there's a limit, my friend. You must know that there is only one subject in all our minds just now."

The Duke, a concentrated gaze upon Charlotte, did not allow himself to admit anything of the kind. For one thing they were lifelong adversaries. Charlotte was a meddlesome woman, an intriguer and a busybody in the sacred name of Family. They had tried many a fall with each other in the past, and although Providence in making Albert John the head of the house had given him an unfair advantage, he was often hard set by Charlotte's malice and persistency.

"Have you spoken to that young wretch?" Charlotte lost no time in coming boldly to the horses.

"I have not," was the sour reply.

"Is it quite wise, do you think, to let the grass grow under your feet?—particularly having regard to the fact that the person happens to be a niece of Mrs. Sanderson's." This was a very shrewd blow, whose manner of delivery had been most carefully considered before-*hand. Indeed, so neatly was it planted now that his Grace got the shock of his life. The surprise was so painfully sharp that he found it hard to meet the foe