aside with a word to the groom in waiting.

"My maid will dismiss your carriage," she said pleasantly when he halted
beside her. "There is one thing more which I must say to you."

Was this what he had expected hazard might bring to him?--was this the
prophecy of his hammering pulses?

"Please hurry before people come out," she added, and entered the
brougham.

"I can't do this," he muttered.

"I've sent away my maid," she said. "Nobody has noticed; those are
servants out there. Will you please come before anybody arriving or
departing does notice?"

And, as he did not move: "Are you going to make me conspicuous by this
humiliation before servants?"

He said something between his set teeth and entered the brougham.

"Do you know what you've done?" he demanded harshly.

"Yes; nothing yet. But you would have done enough to stir this borough
if you had delayed another second."

"Your maid saw--"

"My maid is _my_ maid."