"You against me—you her friend—I hope you will never live to repent of it!"
"My dear child!"
"Don't call me that; I won't be the child of her friend! You have seen it all: how she came with her smiles and her bright words to steal the heart that belonged to me—you have seen them together half the time in the garden—in the portico—wherever the place was shady, and no one likely to intrude. Then you ask me with that kind voice, just as ever, 'Elizabeth, what is it troubles you?'"
Lady Phipps could not help smiling a little, for, occupied with her own pleasant duties, she had scarcely noticed the things of which Elizabeth complained, and this outbreak of jealousy amused, while it distressed her.
"Bessie, this is childish—it is absurd—of course Norman would do every thing in his power to amuse our guest—it is his duty; besides, you know he saved her life, and that counts for a great deal. We always like those we have served; nothing is more natural!"
"But we do not forget our old friends—we do not abandon all the world for them!"
"Nor has Lovel. Be patient till the novelty of this visit is worn away."
Lady Phipps held out her hand with a pleading tenderness that brought the wayward girl to her feet again.
"Foolish child!" she said, taking the fair young face between both hands and kissing it. "Foolish, foolish child!"
"You would not think it foolish if she had snared Sir William, and shut his heart against you!"