The next morning, when she was dressed and standing by her window, looking out into the gloom of the firs and mountain pines that grew near to the house, and shut out nearly all light and brightness from her room, her door was unlocked, and Mrs. Craven Black swept into the apartment.
Mrs. Black was attired in a Parisian morning robe of white cashmere faced with ermine, and lined throughout with quilted cherry-colored silk. A band of ermine confined her robe at the waist, and was fastened with a jewel clasp. Her countenance was supercilious and domineering, and her eyes gleamed with prospective triumph.
Neva did not turn from her window after the first glance at her visitor, but continued to look out into the gloom, as if unconscious of her visitor’s presence.
“Still rebellious, eh?” said Octavia, pausing near the door, and regarding Neva with smiling insolence. “Are you not ready to become the obedient step-daughter, Neva, and to comply with my commands?”
“I shall never be ready to comply with your commands, madam,” said Neva haughtily.
“Never! Ah, that’s a word with a long meaning,” said Mrs. Black superciliously. “I think you’ll change your mind after a little longer imprisonment. How do you like your Lenten fare? Bread and water is what they give to contumacious prisoners, and it is found effective in subduing obstinate tempers. Don’t you think such meagre diet affects your resolution, Neva?”
The young girl did not answer.
“Sulky? Yes, I see. You are but a child, Neva, rebelling against rightful authority. Your father enjoined you to yield me a daughter’s obedience. I have not been unreasonable, and you should respect my superior knowledge of the world and my superior wisdom, and give way to them. You are not yet prepared to do this?”
“As much now as I ever shall be,” said Neva, her eyes flashing. “Are you really so foolish, Mrs. Black, that you believe you will force me into perjuring myself? Do you really think me a child, whom you can coerce or frighten into obedience to an unjust will? You are mistaken in me. You will find me at the end of a year as firm in my refusal to obey you in this same thing, as you find me now.”
Mrs. Black looked incredulous.