"'Did I not command that that girl should not come here again?' she
sternly demanded.
"'Yes, my lady,' respectfully answered the man.
"'Then how is it that she comes here as much as ever?' "'My dear lady, she have never entered the house since your ladyship
gave the order that she was not so to do.' "'But she has. I have seen her here at least a half a dozen times.' "'Dear lady, I dare not contradict you; but poor Milly Jones has been
down with the pleurisy for these two weeks past, and could not have got
out of her bed, even if your ladyship had ordered her to come.' "'Isaac, is this true?' "'True as truth, your ladyship, which you can find it out for yourself
by riding up to the hut and seeing the poor girl, which it would be a
charity so to do.' "'And you say she has not been here for a fortnight?' "'No, madam.' "'Then, in the name of Heaven, who is it that I meet so often?' slowly
and sternly demanded Mrs. Dubarry.
"Old Isaac solemnly shook his gray head, and answered never a word.
"'What do you mean by that? Speak! I will have an answer. Who is this
silent girl in the red cloak, I ask?' repeated the lady.
"'Madam, I don't know. And that is what I meant when I shook my head,'
replied the old man, trembling.
"'You don't know! do you dare to mock me?' "'Far from it, my lady; but goodness knows I don't know.' "'But you have seen her?' "'Dear, my lady, I don't know who she is, nor dare I speak of her; the
master has forbidden us so to do. Dear madam, ask the master; but oh,
for pity sake, do not ask me further,' pleaded the old man, very humbly.
"The lady turned white with jealousy. There was but one interpretation
she could put upon this mystery.
"'Go and say to your master that I would feel much obliged if he would
come to me here,' she said, grimly seating herself.
"The trembling old man went to the kennels, where Mr. Dubarry was busy
doctoring a favorite setter, and delivered his message. Dubarry was
still enough in love with his three months wife to come quickly at her
call.
"'Philip!' exclaimed the lady, as soon as she saw him enter the room,
'once for all, I wish to know who is this girl in the red cloak; and why
I am daily insulted with her presence in this house?' "Dubarry went pale, as usual at the mention of the apparition; but he
faltered out with what composure he could command: "'I--I told you who she is--Milly Jones.' "'No; begging your pardon, she is not Milly Jones. Milly Jones has
been ill with pleurisy, at home on the mountain, for the last two weeks;
and I have sent her a pension of two dollars a week. No; this is no
Milly Jones, and I insist on knowing who she is!' "'Then, if she is not Milly Jones, she is a creature of your own
imagination, for no other living girl comes to the house,' answered
Dubarry doggedly.