It was Penelope.
She hurried towards her, seeing as she did so that there was a large notice on the door marked, Private and Penelope was shutting it behind her.
Then, as she turned and saw Alisa standing only a few feet away, she gave a little cry.
At the same time Alisa saw the expression on her face and exclaimed,
“What is the matter? What has happened?”
She could see that Penelope was trembling.
“What has upset you, dearest?” she asked, as her sister did not speak.
“I-I have killed – the Duke!”
For a moment Alisa felt that she must have misunderstood, but there was a stricken look in Penelope’s eyes and her face was so pale that it was obvious something terrifying had occurred.
“What do you – mean, dearest?” she managed to ask,
“I have – killed him!” Penelope answered. “He is
