‘And it is a great compliment, though that is to you. He takes me on trust from you.’
‘And he took me on trust from John,’ said Violet. ‘I wish he had known you before Theodora.’
‘I only hope papa will never hear of it,’ said Annette, shrinking. ‘How fortunate that he was not here. I shall tell no one at home.’
‘If it had not been for Theodora,’ sighed Violet, ‘I know nothing that would have been more delightful. It was too charming to come true!’
‘Violet,’ said Annette, with her face averted, ‘don’t be sorry, for I could not have been glad of it now; though for their sakes I might have tried to work myself into the feeling. I cannot help telling you, though you will think it more wrong in me, for I shall never see HIM again, and he never said anything.’
‘I know whom you mean,’ whispered Violet, rightly divining it was Mr. Fanshawe.
‘Don’t call it anything,’ said Annette, with her head drooping. ‘I would not have told even you, but to console you about this. Nothing ever passed, and I was silly to dwell on the little things they laughed at me about, but I cannot help thinking that if he had seen any prospect—’
‘I wonder if John could—’ Violet checked herself.
‘O, don’t say anything about it!’ cried Annette, frightened. ‘It may be only my foolish fancy—but I cannot get it out of my mind. You see I have no one to talk over things with now you are gone. I have lost my pair in you, so I am solitary among them, and perhaps that has made me think of it the more.’
‘Dearest! But still I think you ought to try to draw away your mind from it.’