a paramount
sense of duty, of course) among her own circle of friends. But to do
this--with Blanche acting (as might certainly be anticipated) in direct
opposition to her, and openly espousing Miss Silvester's interests--was
manifestly impossible.

The first thing to be done--and that instantly--was to inform Blanche
that she was discovered, and to forbid her to stir in the matter.

Lady Lundie rang the bell twice--thus intimating, according to the laws
of the household, that she required the attendance of her own maid.
She then turned to the cook--still waiting her pleasure, with stony
composure, slate in hand.

"You have done wrong," said her ladyship, severely. "I am your mistress.
You are bound to answer your mistress--"

Hester Dethridge bowed her head, in icy acknowledgment of the principle
laid down--so far.

The bow was an interruption. Lady Lundie resented it.

"But Miss Blanche is _not_ your mistress," she went on, sternly. "You
are very much to blame for answering Miss Blanche's inquiries about Miss
Silvester."

Hester Dethridge, perfectly unmoved, wrote her justification on her
slate, in two stiff sentences: "I had no orders _not_ to answer. I keep
nobody's secrets but my own."

That reply settled the question of the cook's dismissal--the question
which had been pending for months past.

"You are an insolent woman! I have borne with you long enough--I will
bear with you no longer. When your month is up, you go!"

In those words Lady Lundie dismissed Hester Dethridge from her service.

Not the slightest change passed over the sinister tranquillity of
the cook. She bowed her head again, in acknowledgment of the sentence
pronounced on her--dropped her slate at her side--turned about--and left
the room. The woman was alive in the world, and working in the world;
and yet (so far as all human interests were concerned) she was as
completely out of the world as if she had been screwed down in her
coffin, and laid in her grave.

Lady Lundie's maid came into the room as Hester left it.

"Go up stairs to Miss Blanche," said her mistress, "and say I want her
here. Wait a minute!" She paused, and considered. Blanche might decline
to submit to her step-mother's interference with her. It might be
necessary to appeal to the higher authority of her guardian. "Do you
know where Sir Patrick is?" asked Lady Lundie.

"I heard Simpson say, my lady, that Sir Patrick was at the stables."

"Send Simpson with a mes