"I'm very sorry," observed Mrs. Valpy, with well-bred condolence. "Still, time brings consolation."
"Not to all people."
"Oh, yes, I think so. Besides, now you have that dear girl, Kaituna, and she seems very fond of you."
"Yes."
She could say no more. The strangeness of the situation excited her to laughter, to that laughter which is very near tears, and she was afraid to speak lest she should break down.
"And then Sir Rupert will be so glad to find his daughter has such a good friend."
The mention of the hated name restored Mrs. Belswin to her usual self, and with a supercilious glance at the blundering woman who had so unconsciously wounded her, she answered in her ordinary manner--
"I hope so! But I'm afraid I shall not have an opportunity of seeing Sir Rupert at once, as I go to town shortly, on business."
"But you will return?"
"Oh, yes! of course I shall return, unless some unforeseen circumstances should arise. We are never certain of anything in the future, you know, Mrs. Valpy."