'
I perceived plainly enough that Cousin Monica's damnatory epithet referred
to some retrospective knowledge, which she was not going to disclose to me.
'You knew Madame before,' I said. 'Who is she?'
'She assures me she is Madame de la Rougierre, and, I suppose, in French
phrase she so calls herself,' answered Lady Knollys, with a laugh, but
uncomfortably, I thought.
'Oh, dear Cousin Monica, do tell me--is she--is she very wicked? I am so
afraid of her!'
'How should I know, dear Maud? But I do remember her face, and I don't very
much like her, and you may depend on it. I will speak to your father in the
morning about her, and don't, darling, ask me any more about her, for I
really have not very much to tell that you would care to hear, and the fact
is I _won't_ say any more about her--there!'
And Cousin Monica laughed, and gave me a little slap on the cheek, and then
a kiss.
'Well, just tell me this----'
'Well, I _won't_ tell you this, nor anything--not a word, curious little
woman. The fact is, I have little to tell, and I mean to speak to your
father, and he, I am sure, will do what is right; so don't ask me any more,
and let us talk of something pleasanter.
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