"Does everything here belong to cousin Hermione? I thought Aunt Julia was to be the mistress. Mother said so."
"Mittie, you are a very rude impertinent little girl! If you don't hold your tongue, you shall leave the room," said Harvey, with sufficient sharpness.
"I know mother said so," murmured Mittie, very nearly in tears, for a real rebuke from her uncle was rare, and she loved him dearly enough to mind it.
No further notice was taken, and Mittie subsided into silence. Hermione scarcely seemed to have heard the childish utterance, yet it had stung severely. Her hand trembled, causing one cup to clash against another, and an unwonted flush became fixed in either cheek. Once or twice, when addressed by Harvey, she appeared lost in thought.
For Mittie had done at last what all these weeks since her grandfather's death had failed to do. Hermione's eyes were opened to see in a flash, and that no welcome flash, her new position in the household.
Not for worlds would she have had those around guess what she was feeling. She kept her seat and her quiet manner, doing what had to be done, only a little flushed and grave and silent. Harvey knew that the unconscious arrow had sped, and he was very uneasy in his knowledge; but the two ladies, not being aware of her usual looks and ways, were not struck with the variation. They only thought her cold and proud—pretty in no common degree, but not attractive.
"Can you manage without me for a little while? I have something that must be done," Hermione said, rising when tea was over.
"Pray don't stay on our account," Mrs. Trevor said at once.
Harvey followed Hermione into the hall, with intent to apologise for Mittie's rudeness, but she was too quick for him. He only saw her out of reach, passing up the broad staircase.
Once within her own door, safe from observation, a change swept over Hermione. The fair face grew white and wild, with a look of inexpressible loneliness. She stood in the centre, her eyes cast down, her arms drooping listlessly, her lips moving with scarcely articulate utterances.