"Miss Hyde," she said, "just listen while you have time; that red Babylon has gone and done it. I've had my hands full all day scooting about among the wet bushes, and holding my breath behind window-shutters. Now, would you believe it? I've been two hull hours squinched up in that big rosewood book-case with the green silk lining; for them new painted winders in the tower library are the most aggravating things to one as wants to keep her eyes open. Thanks be to goodness! the new books haven't arrived, and I should have had lots of room if human beings had been built flat. As it was, I got along by holding in my breath and bowing the doors a trifle." "But what did you go into the book-case for, Lottie?" I inquired, anxious to bring her to some point in her communication. "What did I go into the book-case for? Why, only to hear what was going on in that room, to be sure. Wasn't that Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Babylon there, sitting on the sofa together two hull hours?" "And you listened to the conversation?" "In course I did." She seemed waiting for me to ask more questions, but I could not force myself thus indirectly to partake in a dishonorable act. "You won't ask what they said, and yet are a-dying to know, any fool can see that. Well, thanks be to goodness! I ain't a lady, and if I was, for _her_ sake I'd do worse things than that; my ears were made to hear with, and I ain't going to fight agin nature." "But you came to see me for something, Lottie?" "Certainly I did. But how is one to tell things without talking right out? Well, if you won't ask what I heard in the book-case, I must tell you promiscuous. This she-sarpent has about done up your business for you, as she means to for me and the rest of 'em before long." "Done my business for me, Lottie! What does that mean? I do not understand." "Likely enough; but I'll tell you; Babylon is in love with Mr. Lawrence." "I wish from my heart he'd marry her," I thought. "But she won't have him," said Lottie, as if answering my thought. "At any rate, not yet." "Well, well, Lottie, tell me what brings you here? My head aches." "So does mine," said Lottie, lifting a hand to her head, and pressing her forehead hard with the palm. "Well, Miss Hyde, a little while ago, Mr. Lee and Mrs. Babylon were sitting on the platform under this very window. It was just after the rain, and they happened to meet as he was coming out to enjoy the sunshine. I happened in the same way to be dusting the sofa close by the window, and it took me a good while. Don't put up your hand, Miss Hyde, you'd 'a' listened yourself. She was talking about you." "About me?"