Part 20 (1/2)
”Whenever you will let me, ma'am.”
”Could you learn to love me a little bit, some day?”
Matilda did not know how to answer. She looked into the handsome dark eyes that were watching her, and with the thought of the secret sympathy between the lady and herself, her own watered.
”I see you will,” said Mrs. Laval, kissing her. ”Now kiss me.”
She sat quite still while Matilda did so; then returned it warmly, and bade Norton take care of her home.
CHAPTER V.
Matilda found her aunt, cousin, and sister gathered in the parlour.
”Well!” said Maria. ”I suppose you have had a time.”
”A good time?” Mrs. Candy asked. Matilda replied ”Yes.”
”You stayed late,” observed Clarissa. This did not seem to need an answer.
”What have you been doing?” Maria asked.
”Playing.”
”You sigh over it, as if there were some melancholy a.s.sociations connected with the fact,” said Clarissa.
So there were, taken with the contrast at home. Matilda could not explain that.
”Any company there?” inquired Mrs. Candy.
”No, ma'am.”
”You are wonderfully taciturn,” said Clarissa. ”Do tell us what you have been about, and whether you have enjoyed yourself.”
”I enjoyed myself,” said Matilda, repressing another sigh.
”Did you bring any message for me?” asked her aunt.
”No, Aunt Candy.”
”Did you deliver mine to Mrs. Laval?”
”What, ma'am?”
”My message. Did you deliver it?”
”No, aunt Candy.”
”Did you forget it, Matilda?”
”I did not forget it.”