Part 38 (2/2)
”Don't let us talk about the old fuss at school.”
”Whom do you call the old fuss, Evelyn?”
”Miss Henderson. I don't like her a bit, Uncle Edward.”
”That is very naughty, Evelyn. Remember, I want you to like her.”
”Why?”
”Because for the present, at least, she is your instructress.”
”But why should I like my instructress?”
”She cannot influence you unless you like her.”
”Then she will never influence me, because I shall never like her,”
cried the reckless girl. ”I wish you would teach me, Uncle Edward. I should learn from you; you would influence me because I love you.”
”I do try to influence you, Evelyn, and I want you to do a great many things for me.”
”I would do anything in all the world for him,” thought Evelyn, ”except confess that I tore that book; but that I would not do even for him. Of course, now that there has been such an awful fuss, I am sorry I did it, but for no other reason. It is one comfort, however, they cannot possibly suspect me.”
Lady Frances, however, took Audrey's information in a very different spirit from what her husband did. She felt indignant at Evelyn's having been singled out for special and undoubtedly unfavorable notice by Miss Henderson, and resolved to call at the school the next day to have an interview with the head-mistress. She said nothing to Audrey about her intention, and the girls went off to school without the least idea of what Lady Frances was about to do. Her carriage stopped before Chepstow House a little before noon. She inquired for Miss Henderson, and was immediately admitted into the head-mistress's private sitting-room.
There Miss Henderson a moment or two later joined her.
”I am sorry to trouble you,” began Lady Frances at once, ”but I have come on a matter which occasioned me a little distress. I allude to the mystery of the torn book. Audrey has told me all about it, so I am in possession of full particulars. Of course I am extremely sorry for you, and can quite understand your feelings with regard to the injury of a book you value so much; but, at the same time, you will excuse my saying, Miss Henderson, that I think your mentioning Evelyn's name in the way you did was a little too obvious. It was uncomfortable for the poor child, although I understand from my daughter that she took it extremely well.”
”In a case of this kind,” replied Miss Henderson quietly, ”one has to be just, and not to allow any favoritism to appear.”
”Oh, certainly,” said Lady Frances; ”it was my wish in sending both girls to school that they should find their level.”
”And I regret to say,” answered Miss Henderson, ”that your niece's level is not a high one.”
”Alas! I am aware of it. I have been terribly pained since Evelyn came home by her recklessness and want of obedience; but this is a very different matter. This shows a most depraved nature; and of course you cannot for a moment have suspected my niece when you spoke of her being alone in the room.”
”Had any other girl been alone in the room I should equally have mentioned her name,” said Miss Henderson. ”I certainly did not at the time suspect Miss Wynford.”
”What do you mean by 'did not at the time'? Have you changed your opinion?”
Lady Frances's face turned very white.
”I am sorry to say that I have.”
”What do you mean?”
”If you will pardon me for a moment I will explain.”
Miss Henderson left the room.
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