“Well, I should like to see her.”
“She’ll be here presently.”
“You have not told that I was coming?”
“No, darling; I thought it best not.”
“That is famous, Jasper; and do you know, I am quite hungry, so you might get something to eat without delay.”
“You did not by any chance forget the money?” said Jasper, looking anxiously at Evelyn.
“Oh no; it is in my little black bag; you had better take it while you think of it. It is in two rolls; Uncle Edward gave it to me. It is all gold—gold sovereigns; and there are twenty of them.”
“Are not you a darling, a duck, and all the rest!” said Jasper, much relieved at this information. “I would not worry you for the money, darling,” she continued as she bustled about and set the milk on to boil for Evelyn’s favorite beverage, “but that my own funds are getting seriously low. You never knew such a state as we live in here. But we have fun, darling; and we shall have all the more fun now that you have come.”
Evelyn leant back in her chair without replying. She had lived through a good deal that day, and she was tired and glad to rest. She felt secure. She was hungry, too; and it was nice to be petted by Jasper. She watched the preparations for the chocolate, and when it was made she sipped it eagerly, and munched a sponge-cake, and tried to believe that she was the happiest little girl in the world. But, oh! what ailed her? How was it that she could not quite forget the horrid days at the Castle, and the dreadful days at school, and Audrey’s face, and Lady Frances’s manner, and—last but not least—dear, sweet, kind Uncle Edward?
“And I never proved to him that I could shoot a bird on the wing,” she thought. “What a pity—what a sad pity! He will find the gun loaded, and how astonished he will be! And he will never, never know that it was his Evelyn loaded it and left it ready. Oh dear! I am sorry that I am not likely to see Uncle Edward for a long time again. I am sorry that Uncle Edward will be angry; I do not mind about any one else, but I am sorry about him.”