All arrangements were concluded greatly to her satisfaction, and then
Lady Dartelle asked Millicent if she would not like to see her new
pupil. The young girl said "Yes," and in answer to a summons from her
ladyship, the child came into the room.
Then, for the first time, Millicent's heart was touched; the large,
earnest eyes looked into her own with an appealing expression, the
little burning hand trembled as it lay in her own. Millicent bent down
and kissed the sweet face. Something stirred in her heart that had long
seemed dead--something that brought with it exquisite pleasure and
exquisite pain.
"In cases of this kind," said Lady Dartelle, "I find there is nothing
like a clear and straightforward understanding. I should like to tell
you, Miss Holte, that when we are quite alone you will sometimes dine
with us, and occasionally spend the evening in the drawing-room; but
when we have visitors such an arrangement will be impossible. My reasons
for saying this," continued her ladyship, blandly, turning to Mrs.
Chalmers, "are these. My son Aubrey is a frequent visitor at Hulme
Abbey; he often brings friends with him; and then I think precautions
with young people are necessary. I have seen sad results among my
friends where the precautions I think so necessary have not been taken."
"I shall never wish for any society but that of my little pupil, Lady
Dartelle," said Millicent.
And her ladyship was graciously pleased to observe that Miss Holte
seemed to be very sensible.
It was all arranged; but as they drove home a sudden doubt came to
Hyacinth. Lady Dartelle spoke of her son's bringing visitors with him.
Suppose among them there should be any one she knew--any one who would
recognize her? The very thought of it made her sick and faint. No, it
was not likely; she had seen so few people, she had known so
few--besides, when visitors came, it was Lady Dartelle's wish that she
should not appear.
"Even if I do appear," she said, "who that has known me in my bright
happy days--who that has known me as Hyacinth Vaughan--would recognize
me now?"
Who could discover the lovely, smiling, radiant face under that sad,
careworn look? Where was the light that had shone in the beautiful
eyes--where were the smiles that had played round the perfect
lips--where the grace and happiness that had made the face like
sunshine? Years seemed to have passed over that bowed head--years of
sorrow, of care, of misery. No one could recognize her. She need have no
fear.
She blushed crimson when Dr. Chalmers, on seeing her, laughed. She had
forgotten the false braids of hair. Nothing had the power to interest
her long. Her thoughts always flew to Adrian. What had he thought of
her? Had he forgotten her? What was he doing? She had completely
forgotten the braids. The doctor's mischievous laugh made her remember
them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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