Part 5 (1/2)
”I suppose so, mother. I don't really quite know who are coming.”
”The Jervices, of course-Henrietta, Juliet, and their brothers; there are also the Claverings, Mary and Sophie. I think those are the only young people, but with six in addition to you and Evelyn, you will have your hands full, Audrey.”
”Oh, I don't mind,” replied Audrey. ”It will be fun.-You will help me all you can, won't you, Jenny?”
”Certainly, dear,” replied Miss Sinclair.
”It is the greatest possible comfort to me to have you in the house, Miss Sinclair,” said Lady Frances, now turning to the pretty young governess. ”You have not yet had an interview with Evelyn, have you?”
”I talked to her a little last night,” replied Miss Sinclair. ”She seems to me to be a child with a good deal of character.”
”She is like no child I ever met before,” said Lady Frances, with a shudder. ”I must frankly say I never looked forward with any pleasure to her arrival, but my worst fears did not picture so thoroughly objectionable a little girl.”
”Oh, come, Frances-come!” said her husband.
”My dear Edward, I do not give myself away as a rule; but it is just as well that Miss Sinclair should see how much depends on her guidance of the poor little girl, and that Audrey should know how objectionable she is, and how necessary it is for us all to do what we can to alter her ways. The first step, of course, is to get rid of that terrible woman whom she calls Jasper.”
”But, mother,” said Audrey, ”that would hurt Evelyn's feelings very much-she is so devoted to Jasper.”
”You must leave the matter to me, Audrey,” said Lady Frances, rising.
”You may be sure that I will do nothing really cruel or unkind. But, my dear, it is as well that you should learn sooner or later that spoiling a person is never true kindness.”
Lady Frances left the room as she spoke; and Audrey, turning to her governess, said a few words to her, and they also went slowly in the direction of the conservatory.
”What do you think of her, Jenny?” asked the girl.
”Just what I said, dear. The child is full of originality and strong feelings, but of course, brought up as she has been, she will be a trial to your mother.”
”That is just it. Mother has never seen any one in the least like Evelyn. She won't understand her; and if she does not there will be mischief.”
”Evelyn must learn to subdue her will to that of Lady Frances,” said Miss Sinclair. ”You and I, Audrey, will try to be very patient with her; we will put up with her small impertinences, knowing that she scarcely means them; and we will try to make things as happy for her as we can.”
”I don't know about that,” said Audrey. ”I cannot see why she should be rude and chuff and disagreeable. I don't altogether dislike her. She certainly amuses me. But she will not have a very happy time at the Castle until she knows her place.”
”That is it,” said Miss Sinclair. ”She has evidently been spoken to most injudiciously-told that she is practically mistress of the place, and that she may do as she likes here. Hence the result. But at the worst, Audrey, I am certain of one thing.”
”What is that, Jenny? How wise you look, and how kind!”
”I believe your father will be able to manage her, whoever else fails.
Did you not notice how her eyes followed him round the room last night, and how, whenever he spoke to her, her voice softened and she always replied in a gentle tone?”
”No, I did not,” answered Audrey. ”Oh dear! it is very puzzling, and I feel rather cross myself. I cannot imagine why that horrid little girl should ever own this lovely place. It is not that I am jealous of her-I a.s.sure you I am anything but that-but it hurts me to think that one who can appreciate things so little should come in for our lovely property.”
”Well, darling, let us hope she will be quite a middle-aged woman before she possesses Castle Wynford,” said the governess. ”And now, what about your young friends?”
Audrey slipped her hand inside Miss Sinclair's arm, and the two paced the conservatory, talking long and earnestly.
Meanwhile Evelyn, having partaken of a rich and unwholesome breakfast of pastry, game-pie, and chocolate, condescended slowly to rise. Jasper waited on her hand and foot. A large fire burned in the grate; no servant had been allowed into the apartment since Evelyn had taken possession of it the night before, and it already presented an untidy and run-to-seed appearance. White ashes were piled high in the untidy grate; dust had collected on the polished steel of the fire-irons; dust had also mounted to the white marble mantelpiece covered with velvet of turquoise-blue, but neither Evelyn nor Jasper minded these things in the least.
”And now, pet,” said the maid, ”what dress will you wear?”