“Anna Ashburton was my friend, the only person in her position who treated me as an equal, and because she had given me her friendship, I told her what I have told no other, before or since. She understood me as no other human being could; she pitied me and loved me; and if I could have remained with her I would not be the desolate, unhappy, malicious creature I am. It was a bitter blow to us when we were cast out of that beautiful home. We both loved it, and I say in all sincerity that I grieved more for her sake than for my own. I had not her gentle spirit, having inherited a proud and implacable temper, and I vowed in my homeless condition that so far as lay in my power to prevent it, Reginald Farnsworth should never find purchaser or tenant for his ill-gotten property.”
“But my dear Miss Flint,” said Mrs. Courtney, “‘My Lady’s Manor’ has not belonged to Mr. Farnsworth for several years. He gave it back to Anna Ashburton and she bequeathed it to my brother, Valentine Courtney.”
“Bequeathed it to your brother!” echoed Miss Jerusha slowly, and turning very pale. “She had it to bequeath, yet never told me of it in any of the kind, affectionate letters she wrote to me?”
“She did not become owner of the property until a short time before her death. She was coming to see all her Maryland friends and was keeping it as a surprise.”
“She left her property to a man who has already more wealth than he can use, and not one penny to me whom she promised to give a home if she ever had one to share with me! God help me! I thought I had one friend, but there is no such a thing in the wide world. My life has been a miserable failure.”
“You should not censure Anna Ashburton, Miss Flint. I feel sure it was her intention to keep her promise to you.”
A scornful smile crossed the thin lips of Jerusha, but she made no response.
“And you should not count your life a failure, there is no one in the neighborhood more useful.”
A sniff of derision rewarded this sincere compliment.
“Please tell me,” resumed Mrs. Courtney, “how you could act the part of a spectre and not frighten the servants away.”