"She was perhaps joking," suggested Mrs. Tracy.
"Oh no; I am sure she was not joking," said Salome demurely. "But I must go now, or I shall be late." She passed quickly from the room, and the next moment they heard the hall door close behind her.
At the same instant, Mr. Ainger might have been seen crossing the road from his lodgings on the opposite side.
There was silence in the room for some minutes after she had gone. Mrs. Tracy was feeling intensely hurt and mortified.
"I should think, mother," Hannah said at last, "you must now see that it is desirable Juliet should take a situation as soon as she leaves school."
"Not at a distance," replied Mrs. Tracy, in quick, agitated tones. "I will not have my child sent away from me."
"It would be a very good thing for her to leave home for a time," said Hannah quietly. "It seems the only way of withdrawing her from undesirable connections."
"I will never give my consent to it!" said Mrs. Tracy, in an excited manner. And she rose and went hurriedly from the room, as if resolved not to listen further to Hannah's views on the subject.
Juliet was standing before the dressing-table when her mother entered their bedroom. She had removed her hat, and was engaged in arranging, somewhat fastidiously, her golden locks; but, careless as was her attitude, she was not so much at ease as she appeared. For the last ten minutes she had been hearing with the ears of her imagination the discussion of her conduct that was probably taking place below. Her reflections on the consequences of her confession to Salome were not agreeable.
"Juliet," said Mrs. Tracy, when she had closed the door, "I think you will break my heart."