CHAPTER XIV

IN THE SECOND CHAMBER AGAIN At ten minutes to three, while they were all together in the library on the first floor, and Mrs. Richborough and Judge were inspecting one of the corner shelves, with their backs turned upon her—thereby effectually excluding her from the conversation—Isbel seized the opportunity to slip quietly from the room. Descending on tip-toe the servants’ staircase opposite, she found herself in the kitchens, through which she was obliged to pass in order to regain the hall. As she went by the foo…