'Suppose I should bring you to Lady Knollys, and place you in her charge,
what would a you do then for poor Madame?' said this dark spectre.
I was inwardly startled at these words. I looked into her unsearchable
face, but could draw thence nothing but fear. Had she made the same
overture only two days since, I think I would have offered her half my
fortune. But circumstances were altered. I was no longer in the panic of
despair. The lesson I had received from Tom Brice was fresh in my mind, and
my profound distrust of her was uppermost. I saw before me only a tempter
and betrayer, and said--
'Do you mean to imply, Madame, that my guardian is not to be trusted, and
that I ought to make my escape from him, and that you are really willing to
aid me in doing so?'
This, you see, was turning the tables upon her. I looked her steadily in
the face as I spoke. She returned my gaze with a strange stare and a gape,
which haunted me long after; and it seemed as we sat in utter silence that
each was rather horribly fascinated by the other's gaze.
At last she shut her mouth sternly, and eyes me with a more determined and
meaning scowl, and then said in a low tone--
'I believe, Maud, that you are a cunning and wicked little thing.
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