in't as violent as might be expected, is he?" Mrs. Talcott
suggested. Distrust was abroad in the air between her and Mercedes; she
offered the fact of Gregory's temperateness as one that might mitigate
some anticipations.

"He is as insolent as might be expected," said Madame von Marwitz. She
flung the letter back to Mrs. Talcott, resuming her pacing, with a
bitter laugh. "And to think," she said presently, "that I hoped--but
truly hoped--with all my heart--to reconcile them! To think that I
offered myself to Karen as an intermediary. It was true--yes, literally
true--what I told Mrs. Forrester--that I spoke to Karen of it--with all
love and gentleness and that she turned upon me like a tigress."

"And you'll recollect," said Mrs. Talcott, "that I told you to keep your
hands off them and that you'd made enough mischief as it was. Why I
guess you did hope she'd go back. You wanted to get rid of Karen and to
have that young man to yourself; that's the truth, but you didn't tell
that to Mrs. Forrester."

"I deny it," said Madame von Marwitz; but mechanically; her thoughts
were elsewhere. She still paced.

"Well," said Mrs. Talcott, "you'd better send that telegram to Miss
Scrotton, telling her not to come, or you'll have her down here as soon
as she's seen the Duchess."

"Send it; send it at once," said Madame von Marwitz. "Tell her that I do
not need her. Tell her that I will write." The force of her fury had
passed; counsels of discretion were making themselves felt. "Go at once
and send it."

She paused again as Mrs. Talcott rose. "If Karen is not found within
three days, Tallie, I go to London. I believe that she is in London."

Mrs. Talcott faced her. "If she's in London she'll be found as soon by
Mr. Jardine as by you."

"Yes; that may be," said Mercedes, and discretion, now, had evidently
the mastery; "but Karen will not refuse to see me. I must see her. I
must implore her forgiveness. You would not oppose that, would you,
Tallie?"

"No, I'd not oppose your asking her to forgive you," Mrs. Talcott
conceded, "when she's got back to her husband. Only I advise you to stay
where you are till you hear she's found."

"I will do as you say, Tallie," said Madame von Marwitz meekly. She went
to the piano, and seating herself began to play the _Wohltemperirtes
Clavier_.

CHAPTER XL

Six days had passed since Karen's disappearance. The country had been
searched; London, still, was being examined, and th