‘Yes,’ said Lady Adela; ‘there seems to be always a bitter spot in her heart. I am glad she should try to work it out.’
‘I suppose living here with her father tended to brooding. Yet she has always done a good deal.’
‘Not up to her powers. Lord Northmoor never ceased to think her a mere girl, and obstructed her a good deal; besides, all his interest being in horses, she never could get rid of the subject, and wounds were continually coming back on us—on her.’
‘On you as well, poor Addie.’
‘He did not understand. Besides, to me these things were not the raw scene they were to her. It has been a very sad time for her. You see, there is not much natural softness in her, and she was driven into roughness and impatience when he worried her over racing details and other things. And then she was hurt at his preferring to have me with him. It has been very good and generous in her not to have been jealous of me.’
‘I think she was glad he could find comfort in you. And you have never heard of Captain Alder?’
‘Never! In justice, and for the sake of dear Arthur’s wishes, I should be glad to explain; but I wonder whether, as she is now, it would be well that they should meet.’
‘If it is so ordained, I suppose they will. What’s that?’
It was Lord and Lady Northmoor, formally announced, and as formally introduced, to Mrs. Bury.
They had come, the lady said, when they were seated, with a message from ‘Old Swan,’ to ask for a bit of my lady’s plaster for his back to ease his rheumatism at night. His daughter was only just come in from work, so they had ventured to bring the message.