“-------- -------- was her lover.”
Miss Ville-Handry discerned the truth with admirable instinct, drew
herself up, and said in her most energetic way,--
“That is false!”
Sir Thorn trembled; but that was all.
“You have asked me to tell the truth,” he said coldly, “and I have done
so. Try to remember. Have you forgotten that little scene, after which
M. Champcey fled from our house in the middle of the night, bareheaded,
without taking his overcoat?”
“Sir?”
“Did you not think that was extraordinary? That night, you see, we
discovered the whole thing. After having been one of the foremost to
recommend to Sarah to marry your father, M. Champcey came and asked her
to give up that marriage. He had, before that, tried to have it broken
off through your agency, madam, using thus his influence over you, his
betrothed, for the benefit of his passion.”
“Ah! You lie impudently, sir!” said Henrietta.