“As if one could be rude to a governess!” cried Lady Jane, stalking off with her head in the air and going out.
“All that Sanskrit stuff has gone to your head, my boy,” said the Colonel, following her.
Lady Jane went to her morning room and rang the bell. Her hand trembled a little. “Ask Miss Scott to come to me before going out with the young ladies,” she said to the footman.
Ellen lost no time in answering the summons, and appeared dressed for walking, and wearing a plain grey felt hat, which happened to be very becoming. As soon as she entered, she saw that Lady Jane was in a rage, and guessed that it concerned her.
“My son has just given me to understand that he has—er—agreed to marry you. What have you to say to this amazing statement?”
Miss Scott looked much taller than usual, and held her head quite as high as Lady Jane herself; but she answered very quietly, and almost gently. “Yes,” she said, “it’s quite true. That’s all I have to say.”
“And you have the assurance to tell me so to my face?” cried Lady Jane.
“Oh, yes, since it’s true,” answered the young girl sweetly.
“It’s not to be believed!”
Lady Jane’s face was as hard as a portrait done in enamel; her eyes glittered like pale sapphires, and she began to walk up and down the room, looking straight in front of her.