It was a beautiful evening, and after supper the family sat on the piazza while the twilight deepened after the long June day, and in time the light of the moon made itself felt, and shone down upon the lawn where the trees cast such strange shadows.
Peter lay in the hammock until his bedtime, and after he and Sophy had gone upstairs and Mrs. Ward into the house to establish herself with her book by the parlor lamp, with the remark that she had no time to waste in moon gazing, the three sisters were left alone.
Victoria, who was anxious to speak with Honor, wished that there was something which would take Katherine into the house or elsewhere, that she might have the desired opportunity, for her words were meant for Honor’s ears alone.
Honor, while equally desirous of speaking to Victoria, was perfectly willing to do so in Katherine’s presence. The three had always been in the habit of talking freely together, and so Honor opened the subject at once.
“Why do you always try to avoid the Madisons, Vic?” said she, suddenly.
Victoria started guiltily. How strange, she thought, that Honor should have pounced upon the very topic that was occupying her mind.
“Do I?” said she. It was a difficult matter for Victoria to attempt evasion.
“Yes. You know you do. There must be some reason for it. We have all noticed it, and Miss Madison spoke of it this afternoon.”
“I don’t try to avoid her,” said Victoria.
“No, we know that,” said Katherine, “but you do avoid Roger, and it is very strange.”