At once Tinker knew that she was Lady Beauleigh, and that she was
speaking of his mother. But his face never changed; only the pupils of
his eyes contracted a little; and he drew a quiet, deep breath of
satisfaction. He had always hoped for an interview with her, his
father's step-mother, and he knew that he had the advantage; for he was
armed with a very fair knowledge of her, imparted to him by his father,
who thought it well to put him on his guard; and of him she knew
nothing.
"Who's this little girl?" said Lady Beauleigh, surveying Elsie with her
insolent stare. "Send her away. I want to talk to you alone."
"This is my adopted sister, Elsie. You may talk before her; it doesn't
matter how confidential it is. I always tell her everything," said
Tinker in a tone of kindly but exasperating patronage.
"I don't care! Go away, little girl!" said Lady Beauleigh, and Tinker
was pleased to see the colour rise in her cheeks.
He stayed Elsie, who was rising to go, with a wave of his hand and said
gently, "Is it important talk?"
"Yes; it is!" snapped Lady Beauleigh.
"Then I'd rather she stopped. My father says you should always have a
witness to important talk," said Tinker, and he smiled at her.
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