However, Olivia scarcely heard this little discussion, and was in no way moved by it. But when the talk turned to the proposed restoration of St. Cuthbert’s and from that to the persons interested in it, she grew suddenly very still, and sat looking down at her plate, listening to each word with fear of what the next would be.
“I wonder how the vicar likes to see his wife about so constantly with another man, if it is his own brother,” said Mrs. Denison, who, in spite of her experience as a governess, was one of those people who think it doesn’t matter what subjects you discuss before children, because “they don’t understand.” “I’m sure the last week or so I’ve scarcely seen one without the other.”
“Well, now, do you know, I thought it was awfully good-natured of her. You know the stories that have been flying about lately. I’m sure I don’t pretend to say whether there’s any truth in them or not; still they have been flying about.”
“And not without some ground, you may depend,” said Mrs. Denison, tartly.
While avoiding the subject which she supposed to be the cause of Olivia’s present distress, her step-mother could not resist the opportunity of giving that headstrong young lady a few gentle thrusts on the subject of her “fancy for murderers.” Mr. Denison glanced from his wife to his daughter, who by putting strong constraint on herself, appeared not to notice what was being said.
“Well, and as she must know the rights of the story, it seems to me all the kinder in Mrs. Brander to take any notice of him now, when he’s under a cloud, as it were.”
Mrs. Denison uttered a little sound significant of doubt and scorn.
“It is to be hoped that everybody else will put as kind an interpretation upon her conduct,” she said, drily. “Only last Tuesday I met them as I walked back from the Towers. They were sitting in that little cart sort of thing Mrs. Brander drives—not at all the right kind of turnout for a clergyman’s wife, in my opinion—and talking together so—well, so confidentially—that they took no notice of me whatever.”
“Didn’t see you, of course,” said Mr. Denison, shortly.
“It may have been that, certainly,” assented his wife, incredulously. “Or it may be that they are not too much lost to shame to avoid the eye of a lady whom they respect when they feel they are not behaving quite correctly.”