Part 10 (1/2)
”Oh--oh--I knew it--I knew. I always felt there was something about her.”
”I'm sure, my dear, you didn't _know_.”
”I didn't. I didn't think it was that; I only thought she wasn't nice. I thought she was fast, or she'd been divorced, or something--something terrible of that sort.”
She still sat bolt upright, gazing open-eyed, open-mouthed at the terror. She was filled with a fierce excitement, a sort of exultation.
Then doubt came to her.
”But surely--surely the hotel people would know?”
”Hotel people never know anything that isn't their interest to know. If there were any complaint, or if any of the guests were to leave on account of her, Mrs. Tailleur would have to go.”
”And has there been any complaint?”
”I believe Mr. Soutar--the clergyman--has spoken to the manager.”
”And the manager?”
”Well, you see, Mr. Soutar is always complaining. He complained about the food, and about his bedroom. He has the cheapest bedroom in the hotel.”
Miss Keating was thinking hard. Her idea was that Kitty Tailleur should go, and that she should remain.
”Don't you think if Colonel Hankin spoke to the manager----”
”He wouldn't. He's much too kind. Besides, the manager can't do anything as long as she behaves herself. And now that the Lucys have taken her up----. And then, there's you. Your being with her is her great protection. As she very well knew when she engaged you.”
”I was engaged for _that_?”
”There can be very little doubt of it.”
”Oh! then n.o.body thinks that I knew it? That I'm like her?”
”n.o.body _could_ think that of you.”
”What am I to do? I'm so helpless, and I've no one to advise me. And it's not as if we really knew anything.”
”My dear, I think you should leave her.”
”Of course I shall leave her. I can't stay another day. But I don't know how I ought to do it.”
”Would you like to consult Colonel Hankin?”
”Oh no; I don't think I could bear to speak about it to him.”
”Well--and perhaps he would not like to be brought into it, either.”
”Then what reason can I give her?”
”Of course you cannot tell her what you've heard.”