Mirabel had indeed returned to the rose garden. He found Emily employedas he had left her, in making a crown of roses, to be worn by Cecilia inthe evening. But, in one other respect, there was a change. Francine waspresent.
"Excuse me for sending you on a needless errand," Emily said to Mirabel;"Miss de Sor tells me Mr. Morris has finished his sketch. She left himin the drawing-room--why didn't you bring him here?"
"He was talking with Miss Wyvil."
Mirabel answered absently--with his eyes on Francine. He gave her oneof those significant looks, which says to a third person, "Why areyou here?" Francine's jealousy declined to understand him. He tried abroader hint, in words.
"Are you going to walk in the garden?" he said.
Francine was impenetrable. "No," she answered, "I am going to stay herewith Emily."
Mirabel had no choice but to yield. Imperative anxieties forced himto say, in Francine's presence, what he had hoped to say to Emilyprivately.
"When I joined Miss Wyvil and Mr. Morris," he began, "what do you thinkthey were doing? They were talking of--Miss Jethro."
Emily dropped the rose-crown on her lap. It was easy to see that she hadbeen disagreeably surprised.
"Mr. Morris has told me the curious story of Miss Jethro's visit,"Mirabel continued; "but I am in some doubt whether he has spoken to mewithout reserve. Perhaps he expressed himself more freely when he spoketo _you_. Miss Jethro may have said something to him which tended tolower me in your estimation?"
"Certainly not, Mr. Mirabel--so far as I know. If I had heard anythingof the kind, I should have thought it my duty to tell you. Will itrelieve your anxiety, if I go at once to Mr. Morris, and ask him plainlywhether he has concealed anything from you or from me?"
Mirabel gratefully kissed her hand. "Your kindness overpowers me," hesaid--speaking, for once, with true emotion.
Emily immediately returned to the house. As soon as she was out ofsight, Francine approached Mirabel, trembling with suppressed rage.