Laura was silent again, and Isabel’s careworn face flushed once more.
“You are not sisterly and true,” she cried. “The world is censorious enough without those who are nearest and dearest to us turning away and becoming our enemies.”
“I am not Fred’s enemy, Bel,” said Laura, gently.
“Then why are you so hard against him?”
“Because I feel that by his conduct he has put us all to shame.”
“Yes, all to shame—all to shame, my dear,” cried Aunt Grace, who had entered the room unnoticed. “It’s a wicked, wicked world; but it’s very good of you to come and see us, my dear, heart-broken as we are. You have come to stop a few days, of course?”
“I? Oh, no no, no. We are staying in town,” said Isabel, hurriedly, “and I must go directly.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” said Aunt Grace in rather an offended tone. “I did not think you would turn away from us in our trouble, Isabel; I thought better of you.”
“I turn away from you and Laura, Aunt Grace? Oh no, no, no.”
“I’m glad to hear it, my dear, because if you would stay we should be very glad.”