Mrs. Bazalgette, who, by many a subtle question and observation during
the last week, had satisfied herself of Lucy's innocence, now set to
work and laid Uncle Fountain bare.
"I do not speak in a hurry, Lucy; a hint came round to me a fortnight
ago that you had an admirer here, and it turns out to be this Mr.
Talboys."
"Mr. Talboys?"
"Yes. Does that surprise you? Do you think a young gentleman would
come to Font Abbey three nights in a week without a motive?"
Lucy reflected.
"It is all over the place that you two are engaged."
Lucy colored, and her eyes flashed with something very like anger, but
she held her peace.
"Ask Jane else."
"What! take my servant into my confidence?"
"Oh, there is a way of setting that sort of people chattering without
seeming to take any notice. To tell the truth, I have done it for you.
It is all over the village, and all over the house."
"The proper person to ask must have been Uncle Fountain himself."
"As if he would have told me the truth."
"He is a gentleman, aunt, and would not have uttered a falsehood."
"Doctrine of chivalry! He would have uttered half a dozen in one
minute. Besides, why should I question a person I can read without.
Your uncle, with his babyish cunning that everybody sees through, has
given me the only proof I wanted. He has not had Mr. Talboys here once
since I came."
"Cunning little aunt! Mr. Talboys happens not to be at home; uncle
told me so himself.
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