CHAPTER FOURMrs. Clerefall and her daughters returned from town in querulous mood.
They were so distracted that for once they crowded into the kitchen, where Andrea was peeling potatoes.
“Everywhere we went, people were talking about Griselda,” complained Avis.
“We shall just be laughing stocks if the truth is ever discovered,” commented Evadne. “And so Lord Mannerly will be a laughing stock too, if it was known how he fell for the trickery of a common creature like you, Andrea.”
Andrea did not respond. It was plain that Avis and Evadne would keep her secret, as they, like their mother, could never bear the loss of face which would result from the revelation that their Andrea had fooled the Viscount into thinking that she was a lady.
The only others who knew the truth were Hattie an
