Part 29 (1/2)
”She seems to me to be getting on in the most wonderful way. She has quite a considerable amount of literary work to do. Two of her stories have already been accepted, and she is asked to do a third, and I have no doubt that other work also will fall in her way. She will now be able to support herself comfortably. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to me.”
Trevor smiled.
”She is wonderfully clever and interesting,” he said. ”I am glad she is your friend. She has talked to me about you and----”
Just at that moment Bertha Keys, having moored her little boat came to meet them.
She came straight up to Kitty and spoke in a defiant voice, and as if she were talking to a perfect stranger.
”How do you do?” she said. ”I suppose I must introduce myself. My name is Miss Keys. I am Mrs. Aylmer's companion. I shall be pleased to do everything I can to promote your comfort while at Aylmer's Court. Have you been here long?”
”Only a few moments,” answered Kitty, taking her cue, ”and Mr. Trevor has most kindly offered to show me round the place. I am so tired of sitting still that it is delightful to move about again.”
”Then I won't keep you. Dinner is at half-past seven, and the dressing-gong sounds at seven. Mrs. Aylmer's maid will help you to dress, Miss Sharston--that is, unless you have brought your own.”
”Oh, I don't keep a maid,” said Kitty merrily; ”I hate maids, and in any case I am not rich enough to afford one.”
Miss Keys raised her brows in a somewhat supercilious way.
CHAPTER XXVII.
BERTHA'S SECRET.
The two young people walked about, talking of nothing in particular, until at last it was time for them both to return to the house. Kitty went up to her own room, managed to dress before Mrs. Aylmer's maid appeared, and then proceeded to the drawing-room. There she found Bertha alone. She went straight up to her.
”Do you wish it known?” she said.
”Wish what known? I do not understand,” replied Bertha.
Bertha was looking her very best in a black lace dress with some Gloire de Dijon roses in her belt. She raised her eyes and fixed them insolently on Kitty.
”Do I wish what known?” she repeated.
”Why, that I met you, that I knew you, you understand. You must understand. I thought, as you were here, that it would injure you if I spoke of it.”
Bertha suddenly took hold of Kitty's hands and drew her into the recess by the window.
”Keep it a secret,” she said; ”pretend you never knew me. Don't tell your father; don't tell Sir John.”
”But Sir John remembers you--he must remember you. You know what happened at Cherry Court School. How can he possibly forget?”
”I shall be ruined if it is known. Mrs. Aylmer must not know. Get Sir John to keep it a secret; you must--you shall.”
”I have asked him not to speak of it; but I must understand how you came to be here. I will say nothing to-night. To-morrow I will speak to you,”
said Kitty.
Just then other people entered the drawing-room, and the two girls immediately separated.