“Oh, because--because I ought not to have done as I have done. The High Priest should be a stranger to me.” “The High Priest is your slave. Think of it! And a clever, influential man is the most interesting toy a clever woman ever possesses. Nothing else in life ever comes up to it.” “Oh, please don’t! I will not listen to you.” “And I am your friend, Marigold. The quack doctor is clever, but he has his--his limitations. Dislike of you, for instance--cordial dislike, for no earthly reason.” And suddenly Marigold took to her heels and ran, and left St Armand standing there. CHAPTER XIV Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her. But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched. “Are you not well, Princess?” she asked with anxiety. “Ye-es. No. Yes. Alice, I don’t like being a poor woman. You haven’t half as nice a time as when you’re rich.” “Then let us go back, Princess. Indeed I am tired of it too. The kitchen is like an oven after dinner has been baked in it.” But Marigold shook her head stubbornly. “No; I’m going to stay--till--till the end.” “The end of what?” “I don’t know. Don’t ask questions, Alice. What time did Dr Quack go?” “Just about half-an-hour since. He came in here to ask for some filtered water.” “Did you give him it?” “Yes; and he asked would one of us go and sit with Timothy this afternoon. He says he’s getting too bad to be left long.” “Why didn’t he stay himself?” asked Marigold in a hard voice. “I don’t know. Oh! he said he was busy. A great deal of sickness about, and he was needed.” “I don’t believe him.” “I do. I went in after him with the water, and I never saw any one so gentle or clever with a child. He had a bad spell of coughing on, and it was frightful, he was in such pain.” “Poor little Patches! I’ll go in and sit with him this afternoon, unless you’d rather go, Alice. Perhaps both of us might. But, oh dear! I _do_ feel tired, somehow or other.” “Did you meet any one outside?” “Ye-es. I met the High Priest and his friend, the one we saw under the archway--and--and this doctor--Dr Quack.” “Did any of them speak to you?” “All three; and I like the doctor the least. He is very stiff and proper, and believes in every one being kept in their right place.” “Did he snub you again?” “Don’t, Alice; he takes everybody from me--and now I believe he’s even taking you,” and she pushed her chair back and went and stood over by the fireplace. But Alice loved her so well, she could not bear to see her in this quiet, distressed mood, so she got up and went and stood beside her.