"Yes, your husband!" he said firmly. "And I'm going to make you love me!"
It was at just this moment that Mrs. De Peyster, ascending from her scene with the reporters, was passing without, and it was these last words that she overheard. And it was at just this moment that her knock sounded upon the door.
"Quick, you mustn't be seen here!" breathed Miss Gardner. "The French windows there, and out the back way through the stable!"
With a cat's silent swiftness he was at the windows, Miss Gardner beside him. But in the back-yard stood William, the coachman, sunning himself. That way was closed.
"Into the study," whispered Miss Gardner, pointing at a door, "and watch your chance to get out!"
In the same instant the heavy sound-proof mahogany door closed softly behind him--leaving Miss Gardner in the middle of the room, with heightened color, breathing rapidly. Into the library swept Mrs. De Peyster, followed by Olivetta and Matilda.
There was a lofty sternness in Mrs. De Peyster's manner. "Miss Gardner, I believe I heard you speaking with a man."
"You did." Miss Gardner was stiff, proudly erect, for she sensed what might be coming.
"He went out through the window," said Miss Gardner.
"Ah, he did not want me to find out about you. But by chance I overheard him say he was your husband."
"He is." Then with an effort: "But husband or no husband, Mrs. De Peyster, I believe I would be of equal value--"
"I desire no scene, no argument," interrupted Mrs. De Peyster, dignified, not a strident note in her voice--for she never lost her self-possession or the true grand manner. "I believe you will remember, Miss Gardner, that when you applied for your present position two months ago, I told you that I made it a rule to have no servants or employees of any kind who were married. As I desired that you should understand my reasons, I informed you that I had once had a cook and a footman who were married, and who paid so much attention to one another that they had time to pay no attention to me. I then asked you if you were married. You informed me you were not."
"Indeed! Then you have married since. That makes your deception all the worse. Remember, Miss Gardner, it was on the distinct understanding that you were unmarried that I employed you. I have no desire to pass judgment upon you. I try to be fair and just and generous with all my employees. If you had been what you declared yourself to be, and remained such, you could have stayed with me indefinitely. Matilda there came to me as my son's nurse over twenty years ago, and has been with me ever since--happy, as she will tell you, with no desire to change her state whatever."