Mrs. Varrick heard this announcement with a little start, while Jessie Bain heard it with dismay.
To her it meant two long, dreary weeks that must drag slowly by before he should return again.
No one knew what Miss Duncan thought when she heard the housekeeper remarking that Mr. Hubert had gone to New York.
Late that afternoon she was startled by a soft little tap at her door, and in response to her "Come in," Jessie Bain entered.
"I hope I have not interrupted you," said Jessie; "but I thought I would like to come and sit with you, and watch you while you worked, if you don't mind."
"Not in the least," answered Miss Duncan.
For a few moments there was a rigid silence between them, which Miss Duncan longed to break by asking her when and where she first met Hubert Varrick.
But while she was thinking how she might best broach the subject, Jessie turned to her and said, "I don't see how you can work with those blue glasses on; it must be such a strain on your eyes;" adding, earnestly: "But I suppose you are obliged to do it, and that makes considerable difference."
"You suppose wrong," returned Miss Duncan, with asperity. "I do it because it is a pleasure to me."
"Oh!" said Jessie.