“No; not Hec-Hecate, but Hecuba—Hecuba; then it's a month at least before she comes round.”
“How dreadful!” said Kate. And certainly there was not a grain of hypocrisy in the fervor with which she uttered it.
“I don't think she 'll go beyond the San-Sandwich Islands this time, however,” added he, consolingly,
“Hush, Scroope!” cried Martha. And now they entered the small and exquisitely furnished dressing-room which was appropriated to Kate's use; within which, and opening upon a small orangery, stood her bedroom.
Nina, who scrupulously obeyed every order of her young mistress, continued the while to exhibit a hundred petty signs of mute rebellion.
“Lady Hester wishes to see Miss Dalton,” said a servant at the outer door.
“Can you permit me for a moment?” asked Kate, in a tremor.
“Oh, of course, my dear Miss Dalton; let there be no ceremony with us,” said Martha. “Your kindness makes us feel like old friends already.”
“I feel-myself quite at home,” cried Scroope, whose head was not proof against so much wine; and then, turning to one of the servants, he added a mild request for the two bottles that were left on the drawing-room table.
Martha happily, however, overheard and revoked the order. And now the various attendants withdrew, leaving the family to themselves.