Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/178

 Wargrave, bitingly. "No doubt his Grace appreciates your regard for his feelings. But even if that was the motive, surely it was your duty to report the matter to Lady Sarah as soon as it came to your knowledge."

The hesitation of Harriet grew exceedingly painful to witness.

"Yes," she said at last. Tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. "I begin to see now that it was my duty. I wish very much that I had mentioned the matter to Lady Sarah."

Both ladies were so fully set on the overthrow of this serpent that the air of touching, exquisite simpleness went for nothing. But in any case they would have been too obtuse to notice it.

"We all wish that." Lady Wargrave pursued her advantage pitilessly. "And I am sure I speak for his Grace as well as for the rest of us." She trained a look of malicious triumph upon the perplexed and frowning face of her brother.

As became a consummate tactician who now had the affair well in hand, Charlotte gave the Duke a moment to intervene if he felt inclined to do so. But she well knew, a kind of instinct told her, that the attack had succeeded completely. The housekeeper made such a feeble attempt to parry it, that for the time being her champion was dumb. Nor was this surprising. In the opinion of both ladies the sinister charge of collusion had now been proved to the hilt.

Lady Wargrave having given her brother due opportunity for a further defense of Mrs. Sanderson, which he had quite failed to grasp, proceeded coldly and at leisure to administer the coup de grâce.