Jasper looked in astonishment at the little girl.
“So you love him as much as that already?” she said. “Well, as you please, of course.”
“Don’t be cross, Jasper,” said Evelyn. “I can stand all the others; I can even like them. I told Audrey to-night how splendidly you can mimic, and you shall mimic her to her face when I know her better. Oh, it is killing—it is killing! But I draw the line at Uncle Ned.”
CHAPTER V.—FRANK’S EYES.
Evelyn did not get up to breakfast the following morning. Breakfast at the Castle was a rather stately affair. A loud, musical gong sounded to assemble the family at a quarter to nine; then all those who were not really ill were expected to appear in the small chapel, where the Squire read prayers morning after morning before the assembled household. After prayers, visitors and family alike trooped into the comfortable breakfast-room, where a merry and hearty meal ensued. To be absent from breakfast was to insure Lady Frances’s displeasure; she had no patience with lazy people. And as to lazy girls, her horror of them was so great that Audrey would rather bear the worst cold possible than announce to her mother that she was too ill to appear. Evelyn’s absence, therefore, was commented on with a very grave expression of face by both the Squire and his wife.
“I must speak to her,” said Lady Frances. “It is the first morning, and she does not understand our ways, but it must not occur again.”
“You will not be too hard on the child, dear,” said her husband. “Remember she has never had the advantage of your training.”
“Poor little creature!” said Lady Frances. “That, indeed, my dear Edward, is plain to be seen.”
She bridled very slightly. Lady Frances knew that there was not a more correct trainer of youth in the length and breadth of the county than herself. Audrey, who looked very bright and handsome that morning, ventured to glance at her mother.
“Perhaps Evelyn is dressed and does not know that we are at breakfast,” she said. “May I go to her room and find out?”