Rhoda, who was much pleased at her reception, but vaguely disturbed by something she had heard, thanked the marchioness, and left the house with Lady Sarah, who proceeded to explain to her that the quiet life led by the ladies of her family made them rather narrow and old-fashioned in their views.
“They think it shocking of me to be away from home so much,” said she, “and they can’t see that it is better that I should be home now and then in a good temper, than always here in a bad one.”
Rhoda laughed, but said nothing. She perceived already that Sir Robert’s dream of happiness with the woman he loved for his wife had failed of realisation.
It was in some perturbation of spirit that she awaited the arrival of that Jack Rotherfield who, as she suddenly remembered, had been certainly better loved by Lady Sarah before her marriage than was her own fiancé.
She scarcely knew what she feared, or if she did, she did not like to put her fears into shape. But the warning of the marchioness, coming so soon after her discovery that Lady Sarah’s heart was not in her own home, was distressing to the loyal and straightforward girl.
Rhoda was on the terrace that afternoon with Caryl, when the sound of a male voice as well as that of Lady Sarah in the drawing-room attracted her attention.
“That’s Jack!” said Caryl. “I thought he’d be here soon. He’s always here when mama comes back.”
Rhoda said nothing. But these words did not tend to make her more at ease. There came a hush in the voices when Caryl called out, and then Lady Sarah appeared at the drawing-room window.
A moment later the handsome face of Jack Rotherfield appeared over her shoulder.
He was looking as merry as ever, and, after turning to say a few words to him, Lady Sarah came out and re-introduced him to Rhoda, whom he greeted with as much apparent pleasure as if she had been an old friend.