"But why should any one write such a letter about me," said Anne, raising her hands to her forehead, "and the Scarlet Cross? It is very strange."
"What is the Scarlet Cross?" asked Mrs. Morley seriously.
"I know no more than you do," replied Anne earnestly, "save that my father sometimes received letters marked with a red cross and on his watch-chain wore a gold cross enamelled with scarlet."
"Did your father know what the cross meant?" asked Mrs. Morley.
"He must have known, but he never explained the matter to me."
"Perhaps if you asked him now to----"
"My father is dead," she said in a low voice; "he died a year ago in Italy."
"Then this mystery must remain a mystery," said Morley, with a shrug.
"Upon my word, I don"t like all this. What is to be done?"
"Put the letter into the hands of the police," suggested his wife.
"No," said Morley decisively; "if the police heard the ravings of Daisy, Heaven knows what they would think."
"But, my dear, it is ridiculous," said Mrs. Morley indignantly. "We have always treated Daisy like one of ourselves. We have nothing to conceal.
I am very angry at her."
"You should rather pity her," said Anne gently, "for she is a prey to nerves. However, the best thing to be done is for me to leave this place. I shall go after the New Year."
"I"m sure I don"t know what the children will do without you," sighed the lady; "they are so fond of you, and I never had any governess I got on better with. What will you do?"
"Get a situation somewhere else," said Anne cheerfully, "abroad if possible; but I have become a bugbear to Daisy, and it is best that I should go."
"I think so too, Miss Denham, although both my wife and I are extremely sorry to lose you."
"You have been good friends to me," said Miss Denham simply, "and my life here has been very pleasant; but it is best I should go," she repeated, "and that letter, will you give me a copy, Mr. Morley?"
"Certainly, but for what reason?"
"I should like to find out who wrote it, and why it was written. It will be a difficult matter, but I am curious to know who this enemy of mine may be."
"Do you think it is an enemy?" asked Mrs. Morley.
Anne nodded. "And an enemy that knows something about my father"s life,"
she said emphatically, "else why was mention made about the Scarlet Cross? But I"ll learn the truth somehow, even if I have to employ a detective."
"You had much better leave the matter alone and get another situation, Miss Denham," said Morley sagely. "We will probably hear no more of this, and when you go the matter will fade from Daisy"s mind. I"ll send her away to the seaside for a week, and have the doctor to see her."
"Dr. Tait shall see her at once," said Mrs. Morley, with more vigor than was usual with her. "But about your going, Miss Denham, I am truly sorry. You have been a good friend to me, and the dear children do you credit. I hope we shall see you again."
"When Daisy is married, not before," replied Anne firmly; "but I will keep you advised of my address."
After some further conversation on this point the two women left the library. Daisy had shut herself in her room, and thither went Mrs.
Morley. She managed to sooth the girl, and gave her a sedative which calmed her nerves. When Daisy woke from sleep somewhere about five she expressed herself sorry for her foolish chatter, but still entertained a dread and a hatred of Anne. The governess wisely kept out of the way and made her preparations for departure. As yet the children were not told that they were to lose her. Knowing what their lamentations would be like, Mrs. Morley wisely determined to postpone that information till the eleventh hour.
There was to be a midnight service at the parish church in honor of the New Year, and Anne determined to go. She wanted all the spiritual help possible in her present state of perplexity. The unhappy love that existed between her and Giles, the enmity of Daisy, the anxiety of the anonymous letter--these things worried her not a little. She received permission from Mrs. Morley to go to the midnight service.
"But be careful Daisy does not see you," said she anxiously.
"Is Daisy going also?"
"Yes. Giles is coming to take her in his motor-car."
"I hope she will say nothing to him about the letter."
"I"ll see to that. She is much quieter and recognizes how foolish she has been. It will be all right."
Morley was much upset by the state of affairs. But a few days before and life had been all plain sailing, now there was little else but trouble and confusion. His ruddy face was pale, and he had a careworn expression. For the most part of the day he remained in his library and saw no one. Towards the evening he asked his wife not to bring the triplets to the library as usual, as he had to see some one on business.
Who it was he refused to say, and Mrs. Morley, having no curiosity, did not press the question.
After dinner the visitor arrived--a tall man m.u.f.fled in a great-coat against the cold, and wearing a thick white scarf round his throat. He was shown into the library and remained with Mr. Morley till after nine.
About that time Anne found occasion to go into the library in search of a book. She had not heard the prohibition of Morley, and did not hesitate to enter without knocking, supposing that no one was within.
Meantime Daisy dressed herself very carefully in expectation of Ware"s arrival. He was to take her for a ride in his motor before Church, and then they were to go to the service together. There was plenty of snow on the ground, but the nights were always bright with moonlight. Daisy had a fancy for a moonlight ride, and Giles was willing to humor her.
She expected him about ten, and descended shortly after nine to watch for him from the drawing-room window.
Outside it was almost as light as day, and the white sheet of snow threw back a reflection of the moonlight. Daisy gazed eagerly down the avenue, where the leafless trees rocked in the cutting wind. Unexpectedly she saw a tall man come round the corner of the house and walk swiftly down the avenue. She knew from Mrs. Morley that there was a visitor in the library, and wondered why he had elected to leave by the window, as he must have done to come round the house in this way. Being curious, she thought she would tell Mr. Morley of what she had seen, and went in search of him.
At the door of the library she had just laid her hand on the handle when it suddenly opened, and Anne came out. Her face was white and drawn, her eyes were filled with fear, and she pa.s.sed the astonished girl in a blind and stumbling fashion as though she did not see her. Daisy saw her feebly ascend the stairs, clutching the banisters. Wondering at this, Miss Kent entered the room. Morley was standing by the window--the middle window--looking out. It was open. He started and turned when Daisy entered, and she saw that he was perturbed also.
"What is the matter?" she asked, coming forward.
"Nothing. What should be the matter?"
Morley spoke shortly and not in a pleasant tone. "I thought that Anne, that Miss Denham, looked ill," said Daisy.
"Don"t you think you had better leave Miss Denham alone, Daisy, seeing the mischief you have caused? She has been weeping herself blind here."
"Well, that letter----"
"Oh, that letter is rubbish!" interrupted Morley scornfully. "Miss Denham is a simple, kind woman, and you should take no notice of anonymous correspondence. However, she is going away to-morrow. I have just paid her her wages."
"I am glad she is going," said Miss Kent doggedly; "I am afraid of her.
You think she is an angel; I don"t."
"I don"t think anything about her; but I do think you are a very hysterical girl, and have caused a great deal of unnecessary trouble.
Miss Denham is not in love with Ware, and it is only your absurd jealousy that would accuse her of such a thing. Besides, this morning you behaved very badly to my wife and myself. You must go away for a time till we can get over your ungrateful words and conduct."
"I am very sorry," said Daisy humbly, "but it was Anne who disturbed me, and that letter. I was afraid."
"Then you admit that we have behaved well?"
"You are my best friends."