"Some day she will melt, when she can get anybody to cry over her."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Garland, catching her breath, "you are a little witch, I believe! How much do you know, I wonder! More of people than of books, I expect. I wish I was going to teach you. Well, Diana, I must be going."
Harebell was dismissed. When she had left the room, Mrs. Garland said:
"She is a most interesting study, Diana. Don't you like having her?"
Mrs. Keith spoke almost fiercely:
"You know how I dislike children. It's a daily penance to me. I mean to do my duty by her, but nothing else. Do you forget that her mother stole my lover? I find myself looking for the same traits in the child. My sister deceived me systematically for two years. She lied and hoodwinked me with a smiling face. Is it any wonder that I cannot bring myself to fondle her daughter?"
"Poor motherless mite!" said Mrs. Garland; but she knew it was useless to say any more.
[CHAPTER III]
CHRYSOPRASUS
MR. GRAHAM arrived the next day. Harebell flew into his arms with a little choking sob.