"Lady Balscombe and Miss Penfold. They did go, and left shortly before ten, but before I had time to turn round, they were back again, as Lady Balscombe said she had a headache."
"Then you suppose wrong," retorted Anne triumphantly, "for there was a pusson waiting to see her."
"I don't know," retorted Miss Lifford sharply. "She had a veil on."
Miss Lifford thought a moment, while Lydia bent forward anxiously to hear her answer.
"A hat trimmed with blue and brown velvet, and a sealskin jacket."
Lydia Fenny sank back in her seat with a groan.
"Your mistress!" echoed Miss Lifford, turning sharply. "It could not have been Miss Sarschine who called on that night."
"What impertinence!" muttered the virtuous Anne.
"Never mind," said Dowker sharply, "go on with your story,"
Miss Lifford sniffed indignantly and resumed:
"Lady Balscombe returned at half-past ten and went up to her dressing-room, where this--this lady was waiting for her. Miss Penfold went to bed. I don't know how long the lady was with my mistress, as I was told that my mistress would not require me again that night; but I waited about in case I should be wanted, and saw the lady leave the house shortly after eleven."
"Yes--at least, the lady in the sealskin jacket, and you say it was Miss Sarschine, so I suppose it was. I then went to Lady Balscombe's room, but found the door locked, so as I thought she had gone to bed I went downstairs to get my supper. When I came upstairs again, about twelve, the door was still locked, so I went to bed."
"Lady Balscombe could not have gone out in the meantime?"
"No, because I asked the footman if anyone had gone out or come in, and he said no one."
"She could not have gone out without attracting the notice of the servants, I suppose?"
"No, they would have recognised her at once. I think she waited till everyone was in bed and then went off to meet Lord Calliston."
"But you are sure she did not leave till after twelve?"
"I'd swear it anywhere," returned Miss Lifford impatiently.
"In that case," muttered Dowker, "it could not have been Lady Balscombe who saw Mr. Desmond at Lord Calliston's chambers, so it must have been Lena Sarschine."
"Do you want to know anything more?" asked Miss Lifford icily.