Josephine was almost crying when she finished this imprudent speech, in which she betrayed that all she really cared for was the home and the money which she had expected to find. Mrs. Markham saw this, and it did not tend to increase her respect for the lady, though she did pity her, if, as she affirmed, she were really Everard’s wife, for with her knowledge of human nature, she guessed that if there really had been a marriage it was a hasty thing, repented of almost as soon as done, by Everard at least. But she did not know what to say until Josephine, who had recovered herself, continued: “I should like to see Miss Hastings, if possible, and apologize for my intrusion into her house, and then I will go to the hotel and await my husband’s return;” then she answered quickly; “Miss Hastings, I am sure, will say you are welcome to remain here as long as you like, but I do not think she will see you to-day, and if you will excuse me, I will go to her now, as she must be anxious to know who her visitors are.” With this Mrs. Markham arose, and bowing to Josephine left the room, and went directly to Rosamond. CHAPTER XXX. HOW ROSSIE BORE THE NEWS. She did not bear it well at all, although she was in some degree prepared for it by the card which Axie brought her. “Mrs. J. E. Forrest,—Mrs. J. E. Forrest,” she repeated as she examined the card, while something undefinable, like the shadow of coming evil, began to stir her heart. “Who can she be, and where did she come from? You say she has a maid?” “Yes, or suffin’ like dat,—a quar-lookin’ woman, who has a lame hand. I noticed the way she slung the lady’s satchel over it, and it hung slimpsey like.” “How does the lady look, and what did she say? Tell me everything,” Rosamond said; and Axie, who began to have a suspicion that the lady was not altogether welcome, replied: “She done squabble fust thing wid the driver, who ax more for fetchin’ and liftin’ her four big trunks, an’ she hold up her gown and walk as ef the groun’ wasn’t good enough for her, an’ she looked round de room kind o’ sniffin’ like, wid her nose turned up a bit as she axed me was thar no fire. But my, she be very hansom’ and no mistake. All in black, with such nice skin and pretty eyes, wid dem great long lashes, like Miss Beatrice.”