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Updated: July 23, 2025
"It's somebody who's trying to get a good funeral under false pretenses!" "But the papers said the body had on my clothes." "Yes I suppose it must have had." "But how " Mrs. De Peyster recalled their precarious position. "Matilda, lock the door. But, Olivetta, how could it ever, ever have happened?"
Olivetta watched her intently, waiting for the brilliant plan that would be the result of her cousin's cogitations. But the minutes passed, Mrs. De Peyster did not move, and Olivetta's gaze wandered about the large, luxurious sitting-room.
"Of course! Of course!" cried the humbled Olivetta. "I hope you fully realize my dilemma." "It is terrible terrible!" Olivetta's tone was slow, and full of awed dismay. "You must maintain your social position and there is no money!" "Just so." Detailed horrors of the situation began to move in spasmodic procession through Olivetta's mind.
Olivetta, an intimate, a relative, and a worshipful inferior, was one of the few persons with whom Mrs. De Peyster could bring herself to unbend and be confidential. "That is what I do not know. About a week ago Jack suddenly disappeared " "Disappeared!" "Oh, he left a note, telling me not to worry. But not a word has been heard from him since.
But, then, they had. And would they ever, ever stop happening? This was only the eighth day since her promulgated sailing. Three more months, ninety days of twenty-four hours each, before Olivetta "Matilda," she burst out in a despairing whisper, "I can't stand this another minute!" "Oh, ma'am!" wailed Matilda. "That Mr. Pyecroft " Words failed her. "I've simply got to get out of this somehow!"
After everything has quieted down, I shall watch my chance, and steal out of the house late some night. That's as far as I have planned, but once away I can work out some explanation for the terrible mistake and then come home. That seems the only way; that seems the only chance." "You always were a wonder!" cried Olivetta admiringly. "Then you agree to the plan?" "Of course!" "And you, Matilda?"
Olivetta's face was wistful with unenvious envy. "Oh, what a pleasure!" "Going to Europe, Olivetta, is hardly a pleasure," corrected Mrs. De Peyster. "It is a duty one owes one's social position." "Yes, I know that's true with you, Cousin Caroline. But with me what a joy! When you took me over with you that summer, we only did the watering-places.
There was that awful reporter watching the house, after Jack! There were the police, after Pyecroft! She shuddered. This was only the seventh day since her inspired idea had been born within her. And it was only that very day that she had landed at Cherbourg. Three months must pass before Olivetta, in the role of Mrs.
Her original plan began to re-present itself to her; modified, of course, to meet the altered conditions. If she could only remain here, undiscovered, then months hence, when it was announced that Mrs. Pyecroft would decamp, if they had not gone before, and leave the way clear for the easy interchange by Olivetta and herself of their several personalities.
De Peyster, looking her most majestic, stood waiting for the outburst of approval, just tribute to one who has conceived a supernally clever and flawless scheme. "Well, now, Matilda," she prompted, "what do you think of the whole plan?" "Since you thought it out, I I suppose it's all right," stammered Matilda. "And you, Olivetta, what do you think?"
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