Eva saw it; she busied herself arranging and rearranging the little silver articles on her toilet-table, though her fingers trembled.
"Well, for one thing, don't you think it's just old Bantry's spite? She's always jealous of a new servant."
"I think Bantry's immensely good and honest; she wouldn't accuse Zélie falsely. You haven't an idea how she feels; she's crying in my room now."
"Then, of course, it's all jealousy; she can't bear to have you marry and set up a household; she's afraid you'll take Zélie."
"She knows I wouldn't; besides I haven't thought of the household—oh, Eva, how can you talk of it?"
Eva covered her face with her hands. "It's killing me!" she sobbed.
Her sister looked at her with sudden contrition. She had been suffering so much herself that she had forgotten how much Eva must have to endure, and her cheek reddened again at the thought that Eva loved Belhaven, that to see him marry her would be bitter. Yet there was nothing she could say that would make it any easier to bear, and it was impossible to let this French girl make matters worse.
"You really must send Zélie away," she persisted. "I'm sure that Bantry's right about it."
Eva twisted in her chair, afraid to tell Rachel any more. "I hate to dismiss a servant," she said weakly.
Rachel could understand this, for she hated to do it herself, but sometimes even surgical operations are necessary and she was willing to concede something to Eva's nervous condition.