It was quite dark, with only the rosy glow of the
fire shining through the room. Mrs Villiers felt uneasy; was it
likely that Vandeloup could have any connection with Kitty's
disappearance? Impossible! he had given her his word of honour, and
yet--it was very strange. Mrs Villiers was not, by any means, a
timid woman, so she determined to ask Gaston right out, and get a
decided answer from him, so as to set her mind at rest.
'M. Vandeloup,' she said, in her clear voice, 'will you kindly come
here a moment?
'Certainly, Madame,' said Gaston, rising with alacrity from the
piano, and coming to the fireside; 'is there anything I can do?'
'You have heard of Miss Marchurst's disappearance?' she asked,
looking up at him.
Vandeloup leaned his elbow on the mantelpiece, and looked down into
the fire, so that the full blaze of it could strike his face. He
knew Madame Midas prided herself on being a reader of character, and
knowing he could command his features admirably, he thought it would
be politic to let her see his face, and satisfy herself as to his
innocence.
'Yes, Madame,' he answered, in his calm, even tones, looking down
inquiringly at the statuesque face of the woman addressing him;
'Monsieur,' nodding towards the door, 'told me, but I did not think
it true.'
'I'm afraid it is,' sighed Madame, shaking her head. 'She is going
on the stage, and her father will never forgive her.
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