She stirred the logs on the hearth to a brighter blaze, and sat before her fire, until long after she heard the French woman go to her bed in the ante-room. At last she arose and barricaded the door with her trunks, and undressed, said her prayers, and went to bed, but not to sleep.
At the usual hour of the morning she arose and dressed herself, making her own toilet. When she had completed it, the door opened and the French woman entered her presence.
“What, dressed, Mademoiselle?” said Celeste. “I am come to dress you, but of course I had to dress Madame and Mrs. Artress first. Mademoiselle is no longer the first person to be considered and waited upon, you see. Mademoiselle was first at Hawkhurst; she is last at the Wilderness.”
“Leave the room, Celeste,” said Neva haughtily. “After your base treachery to me last night, I must decline your attendance.”
“Madame the step-mamma is to be obeyed, not the refractory Mademoiselle,” said the French woman insolently. “If Mademoiselle is not satisfied, the remedy lies in Mademoiselle’s own hands. The breakfast waits, and foreseeing that Mademoiselle would be ready for it, Monsieur and Madam are already in the dining-room. I will show you the way.”
Neva had not expected to be allowed to leave her room, and descended at once to the dining-room, closely attended by Celeste, who gave her not the slightest chance of escape. The Blacks and Mrs. Artress were in the dining-room, and addressed Neva courteously; she responded coldly, and took her seat at the table. Not a word was spoken on either side during the progress of the meal, after which Celeste appeared to conduct Neva back to her room, and the captive was again locked in.
During Neva’s brief absence her room had been put in order, and her fire had been freshly made. She sat down with a book, but she could not read. She took out her drawing materials, but she could not work. Her thoughts were with her young lover, and she indulged in speculations as to what he was doing at that moment, and when he would find her.
At noon, Celeste came in bearing a tray on which was a plate of bread and a jug of water. She went out without speaking.
At night, Celeste appeared again with similar refreshments, and made up the fire afresh, and went out without speaking. The prison fare and prison treatment on the silent system was intended to subdue the haughty young captive, whom her enemies expected to see a suppliant for mercy in the course of a few hours. They did not know Neva Wynde. Her proud lip curled, and her soul rebelled against the meanness and wickedness of her oppressors, but she ate her dry bread composedly, and drank the clear water as if it had been wine.
That night, after barricading her door, she went to bed and to sleep.