She forced a calmness she did not feel, and replied carelessly: "The blacks, you know, Celine, are very ignorant. Their questions appear quite ridiculous sometimes to intelligent and well-informed people." CHAPTER XXVII. Celine looked cunningly at Golden, as she made her confused explanation. "You seem to be well acquainted with the character of the negroes," she said. "Perhaps you have been in the south." "I have," replied Golden, with sudden, pretty defiance. "It was my birth-place." "Where? Glenalvan Hall?" asked Celine, thinking to catch her. "I did not say that," replied Golden, coolly. "No? Well, I will tell you what that old woman--Dinah, she was called, asked me about a young lady." Golden lifted her eyes and regarded her bravely. "Well?" she said. "She asked me," continued Celine, "if I had seen a young girl in New York of about sixteen, with large, blue eyes, and long, golden curls, dressed in a blue cashmere dress, and hat and jacket, I told her yes, for her description of the lady's appearance corresponded exactly with yours." Golden remained perfectly silent, her eyes turned resolutely from Celine. "She asked me," the maid continued, "if the young girl had found her mother." Golden could not repress a sudden, violent start. "Aha," cried Celine, quickly. "You see I am acquainted with your whole history!" "You know nothing about me whatever, Celine," replied Golden, warmly, "and I cannot see by what right you pry into my affairs." "Oh, well, if we are so hoity-toity, we can keep our secret," returned Celine, scornfully, "but somebody will find that it was better to have made a friend than an enemy of Celine Duval!" With these ambiguous words, Celine bounced out of the room, leaving poor little Golden terribly frightened and distressed. She silently resolved that she would leave Mrs. Desmond the next day, proceed to New York, and make an effort to find her mother. Meanwhile the irate maid had gone to Elinor's room. Mrs. Desmond had kindly promised to allow Celine to superintend her toilet while they remained at the seaside, and she was waiting now for the Frenchwoman to arrange her hair. Celine had become possessed of Golden's secret, and she was determined to make capital out of it for herself. Elinor was quite chatty and confidential with the skillful French maid. In a very few moments while she was braiding the young lady's hair she had dropped a few artful hints and innuendoes that made Elinor start up half wild with fear and terror. "Oh, no, Celine, you must have imagined it. It is too incredible to believe!" "I do not ask you to believe _my_ simple word, Miss Glenalvan," replied Celine. "Look at the girl yourself, ma'am, and then you can tell me if my suspicions are well founded." Elinor looked at her blankly for a moment. The maid returned her gaze with unruffled serenity. "Only take a good look at her yourself, miss," she repeated.