"Yes, from the servants. And I heard his last insulting words. Go to your room, child." She threw open the door, and, accustomed to obey from her childhood, Louise moved slowly towards the hall; but as she turned slightly to dart a last indignant look at the man who had set her heart beating wildly as he at the same time roused her indignation, she saw such a look of agony that her courage failed, a strange sense of pity stole through her, and she stepped back and took her aunt's arm. "Hush, aunt dear," she said, "there is no need to say more. Mr Leslie has made a great mistake in bringing up that cruel report, and he will go now and contradict it for my brother's sake." "And apologise for his insult," cried Aunt Marguerite fiercely. "Child, I bade you go to your room." "Yes, aunt, I am going." "I must speak to this man alone." "Aunt, dear--" "Pray go, Miss Vine," said Leslie, approaching and taking her hand. She yielded, and he led her to the door. "Nothing your aunt can say will change my feelings towards you. When you are calm you will forgive me. Believe me, I will do everything to clear your brother from this charge." She looked at him wildly, and still hesitated to obey her aunt's words. Finally, she gave way, Leslie held the door open till she was on the stairs, and then closed it, his manner completely changing as he turned and faced Aunt Marguerite, who stood with her head thrown back, and an indignant look of anger in her keen eyes. "So, sir," she exclaimed, "you in your common ignorance of everything connected with the social life of such a family as ours, dare to come up as a tale-bearer--as one of our servants did a few minutes back--and tell this pitiful story about my nephew." "I grieved greatly, Miss Vine," said Leslie in quiet businesslike tones. "You grieved!" she cried. "A theft! Do you know that a Des Vignes would prefer death to dishonour?" "No, madam; but I am very glad to hear it, for that being the case Henry Vine must be innocent." "Innocent!" she cried scornfully. "My nephew Henri! As if it could be for a moment in doubt!" "I shall strive hard to help Mr Vine, your brother, to clear him from this disgrace." "Disgrace, sir? It is no disgrace. If the _canaille_ cast mud at one of noble lineage, does it disgrace him? No. The disgrace is where some plebeian--some trading person--is mad enough to advance his pretensions, and dares to address a lady as I heard you address my niece. Let me see, sir, did I not once give you to understand that Miss Louise des Vignes would in all probability be soon married to a gentleman of Auvergne--a gentleman whose lineage is as noble as her own?" "I did understand something of the kind, madam, but until I see Miss Louise Vine another's wife I shall boldly advance my pretensions, hoping to the last." "Even supposing that her brother has committed some _faux pas_?" "That would be the greater inducement to me to stand by her in her time of need."