COMPANY FROM TOWN.
That evening we had a number of visitors from the town, and so much
gayety that it quite passed from my mind to speak with Mr. Lee
concerning the call upon young Bosworth. Indeed, I was not in the
parlors much of the time, for he came to me and asked if I would sit a
while with his wife, as he could not leave his guests, and she was so
much more nervous than usual, he did not like trusting her entirely with
Lottie.
I felt grateful to him for remembering her, and went away at once. As I
passed toward the hall, I saw Jessie at the piano surrounded by a group
of gentlemen, Lawrence nearest, turning over the music, and talking to
her at intervals.
Mrs. Dennison was flitting about like a gorgeous butterfly, making
merriment and pleasant conversation wherever she went.
Her quick eyes detected me as I passed the music-room door. She moved
along, smelling carelessly at her flowers, the sight of which made me
sick; they were roses from the choicest varieties that Mrs. Lee
considered peculiarly her own.
"Going to preserve your bloom by an early sleep, Miss Hyde?" she asked,
pleasantly.
"I am going to sit with Mrs. Lee," I replied, coldly enough, I dare say.
I was not accustomed to dissimulation, and when I disliked and doubted a
person as I did her, it was very difficult for me to conceal it.
"You are quite the guardian-angel of the house," she returned, so
sweetly that no one except a suspicious creature like me would have
perceived the covert insult under her words; "I expect every day to see
you unfold your wings and fly off."
"This is my home," I answered, quietly, "so I shall not fly very far
from it in all probability."
She laughed in her charming way; but there was an expression in her eyes
which would have startled me, had I not felt that she was powerless to
do me personal injury.
"And a pleasant home you have," she said, with a sigh; "you can't think,
Miss Hyde, how delightful it seems to a tired worldling like me."
I was in no humor to listen to sentiment, and I replied curtly,--
"Not tired, Mrs. Dennison, or, of course, you would forsake the society
that wearies you."
She shook her head patronizingly and smiled, oh, such a sweet, sad
smile--she must have practised for days to attain such perfection in it.
"How innocent you are!" she said; "I envy you, dear, kind Miss Hyde!"
How I longed to fling back her affectionate epithets with the scorn they
deserved; but, of course, that was impossible, so I made a movement to
go, trembling all over with repressed indignation.
"You are running away from me as usual," she said, reproachfully; "I
never get a moment now of your honest, sensible conversation."
"I trust you do not suffer much from the loss," was all the answer I
made.
I know I am not very wise; I do not deny having my share of little
vanities; but Mrs. Dennison had not found the road which led to them.
"I do indeed," she replied; "but I see you will not believe me."
"You have not an exalted opinion of my courtesy, Mrs. Dennison."
"Ah, now you are going to be sarcastic--my dear Miss Hyde, that is not
in your way."
She added a few more playful words, then I was resolute to go. I left
her standing there in one of her graceful attitudes, playing negligently
with her roses.
Once in the hall, I glanced back; the widow had changed her
position,--she was stationed by a window,--I saw Mr. Lee approach her,
and they began an earnest conversation. I turned and went up-stairs,
growing sadder and more sick at heart.
Mrs. Lee slept quietly nearly the whole time, so that I had ample
opportunity for my sorrowful reflections,--more than I desired, since
dwelling upon the things which troubled me only increased my
restlessness, without bringing me any nearer a conclusion that could
have been of the least value.
After Mrs. Lee had gone to bed, I went into my own room, and saw no one
again that night. When it was too late, I remembered that I had not
spoken to Mr. Lee, but consoled myself with fancying that Jessie would
tell him, or that I should have an opportunity in the morning.
I was disappointed both ways. When I went down to breakfast, I found
that Mr. Lee had been obliged to ride over to the iron works. He had
gone before any one was stirring, and would not return until late in the
afternoon.
While one of the servants was giving me that information, Mrs. Dennison
passed through the hall. She hurried on with a smile, but I noticed that
the skirt of her dress was wet and soiled; I felt certain that she knew
of Mr. Lee's intention, and had gone out to meet him, and hold one of
her private conversations.
Before she appeared again, Jessie joined me in the breakfast-room.
"How late we all are!" she said; "it is too bad."
"I quite overslept myself," I replied; then I remembered my thought of
the last night. "Oh, my dear! did you ask your father to go with us to
Mrs. Bosworth's?"
"I had no opportunity," she answered, blushing crimson. "I am afraid,
too, that I half forgot it."
I knew the reason of that; Lawrence had been talking to her all the
evening.
"It does not make much difference," I said; "I will go with you."
"I am sure papa would be willing," she observed, looking troubled at the
idea of the visit.
"I spoke of it to your mother; she desired you to go."
"Very well then," replied Jessie; "suppose we start after breakfast; we
can get back before mamma will want us in her room."
"I shall be ready; we can walk across the fields."
"Yes; then Mrs. Dennison need not know anything about it."
"Hush!" I said; "there she is."