"You are not well," he replied, kindly. "Jessie, make her go and lie down."
"She never will, papa."
She put her arm caressingly about my waist, and Mr. Lee stood holding my hand, petting me as if my words had been a matter of the greatest consequence. Suddenly Mrs. Dennison entered from the terrace, and exclaimed, with a gay laugh,—
"What a pretty scene! Are you acting a comedy, Mr. Lee? How well you do it!"
He dropped my hand in some confusion, and turned toward her.
"Better comedy than tragedy," he said.
"Oh, yes, a thousand times! But Miss Hyde's role seems to be a sentimental one—she looks very lugubrious!"
I longed to strike her full in her insolent mouth; but as that was impossible, I determined to pay her off for once in her own coin. A spirit of retaliation was roused within me that I had never before possessed.
"You seem gay enough to make amends," I said. "Did you and Mr. Lawrence have a pleasant walk?"
What a fool I was to think I could send a blow that would have any effect upon that piece of marble!