"Does she? Fancy writing to a servant!"
"Oh, that's Joy all over! She makes friends with all sorts of people; she's so odd. And she doesn't mind in the least what she does. She used to help Jane in the kitchen—washing dishes, and so on. And she was always ready to answer the front door bell. Joy is very obliging."
"Yes, I've noticed that. Tell me about the school at A—, where you used to go."
"Oh, it was not much of a school! Joy had several friends amongst the girls, though, I believe she was sorry to say good-bye to them. For my part, I hope we shall never go back to A—"
"I don't suppose you will," Lulu said meaningly. "Sir Jasper will want to keep you at the Moat House, you will see. I shouldn't be surprised if he makes you his heiress. I shouldn't indeed! More unlikely things have happened than that, before now. You remember the story we were reading the other day, about a poor gutter child who was adopted by a rich, old man? I thought of you when I read it. Depend upon it, Sir Jasper would not have given you that beautiful, diamond brooch if he had not some intention of that kind. Diamonds are not meant for poor people to wear."
Celia had listened silently, her eyes downcast, her face flushing and paling by turns. She had not altogether relished being put on a level with a gutter child.
"Sir Jasper does not give Joy diamonds," Lulu proceeded; "he makes a great difference between you and her. I wonder if she minds. Do you know, I believe she is happier than either you or I, Celia. I've often thought so."
"Why? What makes you think that?" Celia asked, curiously.
"Oh, many things! You know, I saw a good deal of her that time I was at the Moat House, when your ankle was sprained; and she and I had several talks together. She was very good to me, considering I'd never taken much notice of her before; I saw she was trying to make my visit pass pleasantly. But oh, how upset she seemed because I had lent you 'Lady Isabella's Treachery!' She gave me quite a lecture about the sin of deception, and I've had a feeling ever since that she has formed a very poor opinion of me. I've no doubt she was right in all she said; but, in spite of that, here am I as devoted to light literature as ever, you see!"
"Joy is very particular about—about trifles," Celia returned, scarcely knowing whether to take her companion seriously or not.