"I said what then? Speak out, girl; I command you!"

"I beg pardon, my lady," stammered the girl, growing fluttered before
the fierce gaze and losing her presence of mind completely, and wildly
misconstruing the stern question.

For maddened by her feelings, Lady Lisle took three or four quick steps
towards the girl and caught her by the wrist. "You are keeping
something back," she cried. "How dare you! Answer me at once, and tell
me all you know."

Jane burst out sobbing. "Don't, my lady; don't," she cried. "You hurt
my arm."

"Then speak out--at once."

"But I don't like to, my lady. I'm very sorry for you; I am, indeed,
but--but--but pr'aps it mayn't be so bad as you think, and--and--and--I
don't like to make mischief."

The girl's genuine suffering had a peculiar effect upon Lady Lisle.

"Thank you, Jane," she said sadly. "I have always tried to be a good
mistress to you."

"You have, my lady, though you've always been a bit 'aughty," cried
Jane, through her sobs and tears, "and I'd do anything to help you now
you're in such grief."

"Tell me, then, all--all, my good girl."

"Well, my lady, I was in the room over here--the blue room, my lady."

"Yes, yes; go on."

"And I happened to be at the window, when I saw, as I thought, a boy
come up quick on his bicycle, slip in through the gate, and come up."

"To the front door. Yes, yes, with another telegraphic message?"

"No, my lady; that's what I thought, but he--he only come to the window
here, and got in."

"Got in?"

"Yes, my lady; for I reached out and there was the bicycle leaning up
against the creepers and the roses, and I could hear voices, and someone
sobbing, and--and--"

Jane's mouth shut with a snap.

"Why do you stop?" said Lady Lisle, excitedly.

"I don't--don't like to tell you any more, my lady. I don't--I don't
indeed."

"Jane!"

"Pray don't make me tell, my lady," sobbed the girl; "it will hurt you
so."

"I must bear it, Jane," said the poor woman, hoarsely. "I must know the
truth."

Jane gave a gulp, as if she was swallowing something, and her voice
changed almost to a whisper, as she went on: "I could hear whispering,
my lady, and--and--and--Oh! don't make me tell, my lady."

"I must know, Jane," cried the quavering questioner, in a tone which
completely mastered all further hesitation.

"There was kissing, my lady, quite plain, and she--"

"_She_?"

"Yes, my lady--began sobbing and crying, and him wh