She went out repeating: "Ah, what disgrace!" without Lydia having addressed her, so greatly had surprise at the unexpected result of all her attempts paralyzed her.

But the formidable creature lost no time in regret and repentance.

She paused a few moments to think.

Then, crushing in her nervous hand the letter she had shown Maud, at the risk of being discovered by her husband later, she said aloud: "Coward! Lord, what a coward she is! She loves.

She will pardon.