"Mother!" cried Amethyst, with passion such as Mrs Leigh's words had failed to rouse, "he never kissed me! He does not think me a little girl! It is a mistake. You did not see right," she added, turning to Mrs Leigh and speaking with childish directness. "He did stand very near me, but, indeed, he did not kiss me!" "I was in the conservatory, Amethyst," said Mrs Leigh, coldly. "But I never was in the conservatory with Major Fowler," said Amethyst. "It was not there--" She paused, and Mrs Leigh replied-- "Where did you go when you went through the conservatory by yourself-- why were you there alone?" "I--I was looking for my sisters," said Amethyst, with some hesitation; but Lady Haredale rose from her seat, and struck in, with an indescribable air of having the best of the situation-- "I cannot have my daughter questioned in this way, Mrs Leigh. My girls are perfectly trustworthy. It is quite impossible that anything can have passed between Amethyst and Major Fowler of the slightest consequence. He was otherwise engaged. I hope Lucian is not jealous of a few casual words. If she met him, it was quite accidentally. Was he ever away from Miss Verrequers, Amethyst, for a moment?" Amethyst looked at her mother, with horror in her eyes. "He did not kiss me," she said, but in a tone that sounded forced and doubtful. "I have gained nothing," said Mrs Leigh, turning back towards the stile. "I came here for the best, it has been all in vain." "I too think," said Lady Haredale, drawing Amethyst towards her, "that enough has been said for the present. But of course, Mrs Leigh, the subject cannot drop here." "No," said Mrs Leigh, "that will be impossible." She turned away without further parting, and slowly walked down the path, and crossed the stile. Now she had to tell Lucian. CHAPTER THIRTEEN. IS IT TRUE? As Mrs Leigh moved out of hearing, Lady Haredale turned quickly to her daughter. "Well, _did_ he kiss you?" she said, eagerly. Amethyst stared at her for a moment. "No," she said, with neither outcry nor protest. It was worse to know her mother, than to be suspected herself. Her soul was hurt by the knowledge. "Well, so much the better. Now you must tell me exactly what did happen--what makes that woman think so?" "I told you, mother, I met him in that turfed walk, and he said what I told you. I gave him the packet. Mr Riddell did see us, but I don't think Mrs Leigh did. That was all." "But what did she mean about the conservatory?" "I did go through the conservatory, and through the ante-room into the drawing-room, and no one was there but Major Fowler, and Miss Verrequers came in, in a minute or two. It is all a mistake. But oh, mother, can't I tell her that I had a message from you?"