“My child never tries my patience,” said Alexander, tenderly.
They arose from the table.
Alexander was rather a negligent Christian, but on this day he attended Drusilla to church.
On Monday morning he ordered the carriage, and took her to school.
When they arrived they were shown as usual into the visitors’ parlor, where they waited while the parlor-maid took Mr. Lyon’s card up to the principal.
A longer interval than usual on such occasions passed before the door swung open, and the stately Mrs. Irving entered. She bowed to Mr. Lyon, and started slightly on seeing Drusilla, and betrayed as much surprise and annoyance as it was possible for so cultivated and self-possessed a lady to exhibit. She sat down, however, and waited for her visitor to open his business.
“I have brought your pupil back to you, Madam,” said Mr. Lyon, bowing and waving his hand towards Drusilla, who immediately arose and curtsied to her former schoolmistress, and then resumed her seat.
“Ah!” said the lady, very coldly, “I regret to say that it is not convenient for us to receive Miss Sterling.”
Alexander looked surprised, not so much at the words as at the coldness with which they were uttered.
“I am sorry to hear you say so, Madam. Your house is full then, I presume.”