“Isn’t it?” she broke in, quickly. “I think it is. You will go in all cold indignation, and come out all hot remorse and repentance. And you will never see that lessons in patient self-sacrifice are all the good you will ever get out of the Vicarage!”
Vernon started violently, and fell to shivering.
Shocked at the strong effect of her bold words, Olivia remained silently and humbly waiting for the reproaches she expected.
CHAPTER XVI.
Olivia Denison’s outburst against the Vicarage folk and their treatment of Vernon Brander seemed to overwhelm the latter with consternation. He stood before the impulsive girl as if benumbed by her vehemence; and it was not until her restless movements and bending head showed that she felt uncomfortable and ashamed of herself that he tried to speak and to reassure her. For it was evident that she thought her boldness had deeply offended him.
“You do them injustice, Miss Denison. Though I know it’s only through your kind feeling for me. There is nothing my brother would not do for me; he always takes my part most valiantly.”
“Ah, your brother, perhaps. But Mrs. Brander! She doesn’t. And a woman can do you more harm by raising her eyebrows at the mention of your name than a man could by preaching a course of sermons against you.”
“But why should she? Miss Denison, I can’t believe it.”
“Do you believe what I tell you, that Mrs. Brander warned my step-mother against admitting you into her house?”
“I must believe it, since you say it is true. But I am sure there must be some explanation—”