If ever eyes expressed utter indifference if not contempt, those of Clarice did, as, with a swift glance, they took Elithe’s measure, from her hat and gown to her gloves and shoes. That she was a fright and a nobody she decided at once. But Paul had presented her, and she must show a semblance of civility. Taking Elithe’s hand, she held it so high that Elithe, who had not learned the fashion, wondered what it meant. She gave it a little shake and said, “Glad to meet you, I am sure.”
Nothing could be colder or haughtier than her voice and manner, and Elithe felt it keenly and was going away when Paul, with his usual kindness of heart, said to her, “I don’t see your aunt, but she must be here. I’ll look for her. Stay where you are, both of you. I’ll be back in a minute.”
While he was gone Elithe kept guard over her despised trunk, trying to adjust the hasp in its place and pushing back the fold of her dress showing so conspicuously. Clarice turned her back upon her and stood impatiently tapping her foot and humming to herself.
“She is very proud, and if all the people here are like her, I shall want to go home at once,” Elithe was thinking, when Paul came hurrying up and with him a young man so nearly resembling him in figure and height and general appearance that but for their dress one might be readily mistaken for the other when his back was turned.
“Your aunt is not here. Tom saw her on the piazza as he drove by. She probably did not expect you on this boat,” Paul said to Elithe, and added, “My man Tom will drive you home in our carriage. Here, Tom, take this trunk to an expressman and leave the young lady at Miss Hansford’s.”
Tom shouldered the trunk, while Paul continued to Clarice, whose face was clouded, “You don’t mind walking, do you? It is so short a distance.”
Clarice did mind, not so much the walk as the fact that Elithe, whom she considered far beneath her, was to be driven in the Ralston carriage while she went on foot.
“Oh, no; a little roasting, more or less, in this hot sun won’t hurt me; let’s go,” she said, with a toss of her head, and was turning away when Elithe, who had heard everything and understood it, exclaimed, “Please, Mr. Ralston, let Miss Percy ride. I would rather walk if some one will show me the way.”
“All right,” Paul answered, with some annoyance in his tone. “Tom shall take Clarice and I will go with you. Hallo, Tom! Bring the horses here.”
In an instant Clarice changed her tactics. She had no intention to let Paul take Elithe home, and she said, “How absurd! Do you think I am going to ride and let her walk, tired as she is. She looks quite worn out.”