Juliet was dark and rather little, not at all like her
Junoesque mother. She was extremely pretty and dressed to
perfection. Having more brains and a stronger will than
Mallow, she guided him in every way, and had already succeeded
in improving his morals. With so gentle and charming a
mentor, Cuthbert was quite willing to be led into the paths of
virtue. He adored Juliet and she loved him, so it appeared
that the marriage would be quite ideal.
"Much as we love one another," said Cuthbert when the lovers
were seated on the sofa. "I wonder you can talk of anything
but this horrid murder."
"Because there is nothing to talk of," rejoined the girl
impatiently; "according to Basil, the case is most mysterious,
so it is useless for us to worry over it until something
tangible is discovered. But I want to speak to you seriously--"
here Juliet hesitated.
"Well, go on," said Cuthbert, taking her hand.
"Mother says--" began Juliet, then hesitated again. "Promise
me you will keep to yourself what I am about to tell you."
"Certainly. I never was a fellow to chatter."
"Then mother says that this murder will put a stop to our
marriage."
Mallow stared, then flushed up to his ears. "What on earth
does she mean by that?" he asked aghast.
Juliet looked searchingly at him. "Do you know of any
impediment?"
"I? Of course I don't. I am sorry for the death of your
aunt, but I really don't see what it has to do with you and
me.
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