Little did I know, however, of the changes that were ahead. Hitherto my
step-mother had been all that was sweetly kind and lovingly indulgent;
no doubt she was still kind, and in her heart of hearts still indulgent;
but when we returned home after our pleasant few days at Hedgerow House
her manner altered. She took the reins of government with a new sort of
decision; she ordered changes in the household management without
consulting me about them; she got in even more servants, and added to
the luxuries of the house. She invited friends to call, and went
herself to pay visits. She ordered a neat brougham, which came for her
every day, and in which she asked me to accompany her to visit friends
and relatives of her own. I refused in my own blunt fashion.
"I am sorry, step-mother," I said; "I am particularly busy this
afternoon, and I am going to tea with the Swans."
"Is that an old engagement, Rachel?" she inquired.
"Yes," I said; but I blushed a little as I spoke, for in truth that
morning I had all but refused Rita Swan's urgent entreaty to go and have
tea with them. Now I seized upon the whole idea as an excuse.
Mrs Grant stood silent for a minute. How handsome and bright and
energetic she looked! She was becomingly dressed, and the carriage with
its nice horse and well-appointed coachman was waiting at the door. She
said after a minute's pause, "Very well, Dumps, you needn't come to-day;
but please understand that I shall want you to go out with me to-morrow
morning, and again in the afternoon. Don't make any engagement for
to-morrow."
Before I had time to reply she had swept down the hall, the door was
flung open for her by the neat parlour-maid, she stepped into her
carriage, and was borne away.
Was this indeed the same desolate house where I had lived ever since my
mother died?
I had a somewhat dull tea with the Swans; I was thinking all the time of
my step-mother. They twitted me one moment on my melancholy, and the
next they began to praise me. I was not a particularly shrewd girl, but
somehow after a time I began to suspect that the news of my
step-mother's wealth had got to their ears. If that was so, it would
account for their complete change of front. Doubtless my step-mother
was right when she decided to take me from a school where I might have
companions of the Swan sort. The next day I came downstairs determined,
if possible, to have my own way and not to go out with Mrs Grant. She
was at breakfast when I entered.
"You are a little late, Rachel," she said. "The hour for breakfast is
half-past eight."
"But--but--" I began.
"You needn't excuse yourself, dear. Sit down. To-morrow morning I
shall expect you to be in time." She spoke very sweetly, poured out a
cup of delicious coffee for me, and asked whether I would prefer ham or
eggs to eat with it. I looked out at the street. The worst January
weather was on us; there was a drizzling sleet falling from the sky.
"We sha'n't have a very pleasant day for our shopping," said Mrs Grant.
"Are we going shopping?" I asked.
"Yes; I am going to take you shopping to-day. You will want your school
outfit."