“No one, mother,” and Edith flushed to her forehead, while her voice had in it a tone of irritation, as she continued: “How many times must I tell you that I do not go about the country trying to sell myself. I am willing to work for you as long as I have strength, but marry I never shall, and probably could not if I would.”
“You, with that face, say you could not marry!” Mrs. Barrett exclaimed.
And Edith rejoined:
“The man who would take me for my face alone I do not want, and the man whom I could respect enough to marry must know all my past, and, after knowing it, how many, think you, would care to have me?”
There was a gesture of impatience on the part of Mrs. Barrett, but, before she could speak, Edith continued:
“Colonel Schuyler, of Schuyler Hill, is expected at Oakwood to-morrow.”
“Colonel Schuyler!” and Mrs. Barrett was surprised. “How does he happen to come to Oakwood?”
“He is Mrs. Sinclair’s half brother. I never knew it until the other day, and Lady Emily is dead, and he is travelling in Europe with Godfrey.”
“Lady Emily dead! She was a sweet-mannered lady, and young, too. Why, Colonel Schuyler cannot be very old. Not much past forty, I am sure, and he was very fine-looking.”
Edith had risen to go, and did not in the least understand what was in her mother’s mind; and buttoning her long gloves, she said: