On awaking next morning her resolution was partially shaken, and might,
perhaps, have been given up entirely, if, in looking from her window,
she had not seen a sight which awoke within her the demon _jealousy_, by
whose aid she could do almost anything. The _governess_ had arisen
early, as was her usual custom, and gone forth into the garden, where
she came unexpectedly upon Mr. Delafield, who, after expressing his
pleasure at meeting her, very quietly drew her arm within his own, and
then walked with her several times through the garden, casting often
admiring glances towards the drooping figure at his side, who, trembling
lest the Argus eyes of Mrs. Lansing were upon her, would fain have been
left alone. All this Ada saw, and as she thought how different was his
manner towards Rose from what it had ever been towards her, a sudden
light flashed upon her. She had not lived twenty-seven years for
nothing, and like Dicken’s woman with the “mortified bonnet,” she knew
the signs, and with a sinking heart, she exclaimed, “Is it possible that
he _loves_ her?”
The thought was maddening, and now strengthened tenfold in her purpose
of working the young girl evil, she went forth into the garden to meet
them, nodding coldly to Rosa, and bestowing her sweetest smile upon her
guardian, who wound his arm around her waist and playfully kissed her
forehead—a liberty he would not dare to have taken with Rose, who,
thinking that of course she was not wanted, made an effort to withdraw
her hand. But Mr. Delafield’s arm was strong, and he pressed it closely
to his side, at the same time giving her a look which bade her stay,
notwithstanding that Ada two or three times hinted to her the propriety
of going.
“Why don’t you ask Miss Lee about your Boston friends?” said Mr.
Delafield, when they had taken a few turns in silence.
Ada tossed her head scornfully, and replied, “I don’t think I had any
acquaintances in common with _Miss Lee_, unless, indeed, it were her
_old aunty_;” and with a little hateful laugh she leaned across Mr.
Delafield, and asked, “How is she? Richard, you would like to know.”
I was provoked at her manner, but I answered civilly that my aunt was
well, adding, as one would naturally do, “Herbert Langley, I suppose you
know, is dead.”
The news was unexpected, and coming as it did, it produced upon her a
singular effect, blanching her cheek to a marble whiteness, while her
lips quivered spasmodically. Mr. Delafield was startled, and stopping
short, demanded of her what was the matter.
“Oh, nothing much,” she answered, recovering her composure, and pressing
her hand upon her side, “nothing but an ugly pain, which is gone now. I
have felt it often lately,” and her face looked as unruffled and
innocent as if she really thought it was the truth she had uttered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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