Ellice looked on Helen as the promoter of this engagement and marriage, as the woman who was responsible for everything. She did not like her. She resented her; but for Helen, there would never have been any break in the old happy life at Buddesby.
“So you wish to see Joan, why?”
“Privately.”
“My dear child, surely—”
“I am not a child, and I wish to see Joan Meredyth privately, and surely I have the right, Mrs. Everard?”
Helen frowned. “Well, at any rate you cannot see her now. She is engaged, a friend is with her.”
“I can wait.”
“Very well,” Helen said. “If you insist. Does Johnny know that you are here?” she asked with sudden suspicion.
“No; Connie knows. I told her, and I am willing to wait.”
Helen looked at her. Helen was honest. “I thought the child pretty,” she reflected, “and I was wrong; she is beautiful. I don’t understand it. In some extraordinary way she seems to have changed.” But her manner towards Ellice was as unfriendly as before.