“The first week in May.”
“Yes, and our holidays are to be on the 7th. You know we should have gone home now, but for the Confirmation; and, besides, Miss Venning’s brother, who is a clergyman, is coming to examine the school on the 5th of May in arithmetic and those hard lessons; so the classes preparing for him have not broken up.”
“How funny it sounds to hear you talk about lessons and arithmetic! Can you do your sums, my child?”
“Not very well,” replied Violante, modestly; “they are very often wrong, Rosina. But I have learnt many things.”
She turned and slipped down by Rosa’s side, playing with her fingers; but keeping her own face averted.
“Things are very strange, Rosa mia. I never expected to see Signor Arthur here.”
“Signor Arthur. Mr Spencer? Here. Where?” exclaimed Rosa, greatly surprised.
“Yes,” said Violante, trying to control her trembling, “he—that is, they, live here at Redhurst. They are Miss Venning’s friends.”
“They—you don’t mean Mr Crichton! Oh, Violante, if I had known this—” then, as there was a pause, “Have you seen him?”
“Oh, yes. But he never spoke, nor I to him. Do not fear, Rosa. He is a great gentleman, and he knows well here that I am only a poor little girl; and no one knows anything.”