Page 280 (1/2)

She smiled at him as he held her hand, but as she went up the stairs the

smile vanished, and, if it is ever possible for so beautiful a woman to

become suddenly plain, then Lady Luce's face achieved that

transfor herself into a

chair, and beat a tattoo with her foot The door opened softly, and

Burden stole in She was very pale, there were dark marks under her

eyes, and she treether as

she took therily

"What is the host

than a hu"

Burden winced under the insult, and stole behind her mistress' chair;

but Lady Luce faced round after her

"You're not fit to doelse!" she said "What is the

matter now? Your mother or one of your other relations, I suppose You

always have some excuse or other for your whims and fancies"

"I--I am rather upset, my lady!" Burden responded, almost inaudibly

"The--the robbery----"

"What does it concern you?" said Lady Luce sharply "It is no affair of

yours; your business is to wait upon me, and if you can't or won't do it

properly----"