"It was irritating," Rachel owned, beginning to wonder how much the
other knew.

"But it was better than losing your life, madame!" the girl added with a
smile.

And now Rachel lay silent. Could this amiable young woman know all? In
one way Rachel rather hoped it was the case; it would be something to
have received so much kindness and attention, even though bought and
paid for, from one of her own sex who knew all there was to know, and
yet did not shrink from her. But the young woman's next words dismissed
this idea.

"When so many poor people were drowned!" said she. And the mystification
increased.

Presently there was a knock at the outer door, which the maid answered,
returning with Mr. Steele's card.

"Is he there?" asked Rachel, hastily.

"No, madame, but one of the servants is waiting for an answer. I think
there is something written on the back, madame."

Rachel read the harmless request on the back of the card; nothing could
have been better calculated to turn away suspicion of one sort or
another, and there was obvious design in the absence of an envelope. But
Rachel was not yet in the secret, and she was determined not to wait an
hour longer than she need.