Part 5 (2/2)

”I had better a.s.sert myself as soon as possible,” said Evelyn. ”Mothery told me I must. So I had better put on something striking. I saw that horrid Audrey walking past just now with her governess; she had on a plain, dark-blue serge. Why, any dairymaid might dress like that. Don't you agree with me, Jasper?”

”There is your crimson velvet,” said Jasper. ”I bought it for you in Paris. You look very handsome in it.”

”Oh, come, Jasper,” said her little mistress, ”you said I was squat last night.”

”The rich velvet shows up your complexion,” persisted Jasper. ”Put it on, dear; you must make a good impression.”

Accordingly Evelyn allowed herself to be arrayed in a dress of a curious shade between red and crimson. Jasper encircled her waist with a red silk sash; and being further decked with numerous rows of colored beads, varying in hue from the palest green to the deepest rose, the heiress p.r.o.nounced herself ready to descend.

”And where will you go first, dear?” said Jasper.

”I am going straight to find my Uncle Edward. I have a good deal to say to him. And there is mother's note; I think it is all about you. I will give it to Uncle Edward to give to my Aunt Frances. I don't like my Aunt Frances at all, so I will see Uncle Edward first.”

Accordingly Evelyn, in her heavy red dress, her feet encased in black shoes and white stockings, ran down-stairs, and having inquired in very haughty tones of a footman where the Squire was likely to be found, presently opened the door of his private sanctum and peeped in.

Even Lady Frances seldom cared to disturb the Squire when he was in his den, as he called it. When he raised his eyes, therefore, and saw Evelyn's pale face, her light flaxen hair falling in thin strands about her ears, her big, somewhat light-brown eyes staring at him, he could not help giving a start of annoyance.

”Oh, Uncle Ned, you are not going to be cross too?” said the little girl. She skipped gaily into the room, ran up to him, put one arm round his neck, and kissed him.

The Squire looked in a puzzled way at the queer little figure. Like most men, he knew little or nothing of the details of dress; he was only aware that his own wife always looked perfect, that Audrey was the soul of grace, and that Miss Sinclair presented a very pretty appearance. He was now, therefore, only uncomfortable in Evelyn's presence, not in the least aware of what was wrong with her, but being quite certain that Lady Frances would not approve of her at all.

”I have come first to you, Uncle Edward,” said Evelyn, ”because we must transact some business together.”

”Transact some business!” repeated her uncle. ”What long words you use, little girl!”

”I have heard my dear mothery talk about transacting business, so I have picked up the phrase,” replied Evelyn in thoughtful tones. ”Well, Uncle Edward, shall we transact? It is best to have things on a business footing; don't you think so-eh?”

”I think that you are a very strange little person,” said her uncle.

”You are too young to know anything of business matters; you must leave those things to your aunt and to me.”

”But I am your heiress, don't forget. This room will be mine, and all that big estate outside, and the whole of this gloomy old house when you die. Is not that so?”

”It is so, my child.” The Squire could not help wincing when Evelyn p.r.o.nounced his house gloomy. ”But at the same time, my dear Evelyn, things of that sort are not spoken about-at least not in England.”

”Mothery and I spoke a lot about it; we used to sit for whole evenings by the fireside and discuss the time when I should come in for my property. I mean to make changes when my time comes. You don't mind my saying so, do you?”

”I object to the subject altogether, Evelyn.” The Squire rose and faced his small heiress. ”In England we don't talk of these things, and now that you have come to England you must do as an English girl and a lady would. On your father's side you are a lady, and you must allow your aunt and me to train you in the observances which const.i.tute true ladyhood in England.”

Evelyn's brown eyes flashed a very angry fire.

”I don't wish to be different from my mother,” she said. ”My mother was one of the most splendid women on earth. I wish to be exactly like her.

I will not be a fine lady-not for anybody.”

”Well, dear, I respect you for being fond of your mother.”

”Fond of her!” said Evelyn; and a strange and intensely tragic look crossed the queer little face.

<script>