When we came down to breakfast, the next morning, I felt that something was in the air. Grandmamma sat so particularly straight up, and my Aunt Dorothea looked so prim, and my Uncle Charles fidgetted about between the fire and the window, like a man who knew of something coming which he wanted to have over. My Aunt Dorothea poured the chocolate in silence. When all were served, Grandmamma took a pinch of snuff.
“Miss Keith!”
“Madam!”
“Do you think the air of the Isle of Wight wholesome at this season of the year?”
“So much so, Madam, that I am inclined to propose we should resume our journey thither.”
Grandmamma took another pinch.
“I will beg you, then, to make my compliments to Sir James, and tell him how much entertained I have been by your visit, and especially by your performance on the harp. You have a fine finger, Miss Keith, and your choice of a song is unexceptionable.”
“I thank you for the compliment, Madam, which I shall be happy to make to Sir James.”
There was nothing but dead silence after that until breakfast was over. When we were back in our room, I broke down. To lose both Annas and Flora was too much.
“O Annas! why did you take the bull by the horns?” I cried.