To have seen her thus, knowing that she was a bride-elect, you might have judged that she was about to be forced into some loathed marriage, from which her whole tortured nature revolted.
And you would have judged truly. She was being thus forced into such a marriage, not by any tyrannical parent or guardian, for flesh and blood could not have forced Claudia Merlin into any measure she had set her will against. She was forced by the demon Pride, who had taken possession of her soul.
And now she sat alone with her sin, dispossessed of all her better self, face to face with her lost soul.
She was aroused by the entrance of Mrs. Middleton—Mrs. Middleton in full carriage-dress—robe and mantle of mauve-colored moire-antique, a white lace bonnet with mauve-colored flowers, and white kid gloves finished at the wrists with mauve ribbon quillings.
"Why, Claudia, is it possible? Not commenced dressing yet, and everybody else ready, and the clock on the stroke of ten! What have you been thinking of, child?"
Claudia started like one suddenly aroused from sleep, threw her hands to her face as if to clear away a mist, and looked around.
But Mrs. Middleton had hurried to the door and was calling:
"Here, Alice! Laura! 'Gena! Lotty! Where are you?"
Receiving no answer, she flew to the bell and rang it and brought Claudia's maid to the room.
"Ruth, hurry to the young ladies' room and give my compliments, and ask them to come here as soon as possible! Miss Merlin is not yet dressed."