The  news  was  startling,  indeed.  From  the  Baronet's
disjointed  explanation  Lord  Uplandtowers  gathered  that
after  his  own  and  the  other  guests'  departure  Sir  John
and  Lady  Grebe  had  gone  to  rest  without  seeing  any
more  of  Barbara ;  it  being  understood  by  them  that  she
had  retired  to  bed  when  she  sent  word  to  say  that  she
could  not  join  the  dancers  again.  Before  then  she  had
told  her  maid  that  she  would  dispense  with  her  services
for  this  night ;  and  there  was  evidence  to  show  that  the
young  lady  had  never  lain  down  at  all,  the  bed  remaining
unpressed.  Circumstances  seemed  to  prove  that  the
deceitful  girl  had  feigned0  indisposition  to  get  an  excuse
for  leaving  the  ball-room,  and  that  she  had  left  the  house
within  ten  minutes,  presumably  during  the  first  dance
after  supper.
'  I  saw  her  go,'  said  Lord  Uplandtowers.
67


A  GROUP  OF  NOBLE  DAMES

1  The  devil  you  did  ! '  says  Sir  John.
'Yes.'  And  he  mentioned  the  retreating  carriage-
lights,  and  how  he  was  assured  by  Lady  Grebe  that  no
guest  had  departed.
