Mrs.Croyle could hardly hope to go without some rumour of her history coming afterwards to the ears of that family; and the family would hold her presence as a reproach against Millie Splay.

Stella had herself proposed her plan to Millie, and she noted the relief with which it was received.
"You will be careful not to mention it to a soul, Jenny," Stella insisted.
"My goodness me, madam, I never talk," replied Jenny.

"I keep my ears open and let the others do that." "I know, Jenny," said Stella, with a smile.

"I can't imagine what I should do without you." "And you never will, madam, unless it's your own wish and doin'," said Jenny heartily.

"I have talked it over with Brown"-- Brown was Mrs.
Croyle's chauffeur--"and he's quite willin' that I should go on with you after we are married." "Then, that's all right," said Stella.
Many a one looking backwards upon some terrible and unexpected tragedy will have noticed with what care the great dramaturgist so wove his play that every little unheeded event in the days before helped directly to create the final catastrophe.