It would seem that Mr. La Rue, with his indolent habits, had been a great draft upon his wife’s earnings, for, after he died, there was a perceptible change in her manner of living. Money was more plenty, and everything was on a larger, freer scale, so that Margery’s home was a very comfortable one, especially after her wonderful skill in fitting, and perfect taste in trimming, and, more than all, the patronage of Miss Hetherton, began to attract people to her rooms. Now, as in her school days, Queenie was her good angel, and brought her more work, and paid her more money than any four of her other customers.
Once, and only once, did Reinette meet Mrs. La Rue, who seemed rather to avoid than to seek her, and that was on an occasion when she came in from the country unexpectedly, and found Margery busy with a lady in the fitting-room.
“Tell her I am Miss Hetherton, and that I will wait,” Reinette said to the small, dark woman whom she found in the reception-room, and whom she mistook for an upper servant or housekeeper.
“Miss Hetherton! Margery’s Reinette!” the woman exclaimed, turning quickly and coming close to the young lady, whose pride rebelled at once at this familiarity, and who assumed her haughtiest, most freezing manner, as she replied:
“Yes, I am Miss Hetherton. Tell your mistress I am here, at once.”
All the blood rushed to Mrs. La Rue’s face, and her voice shook as she said:
“She is my daughter, and I am Mrs. La Rue. I beg your pardon if I seemed rude, but you have been so kind to Margery, and I have so wished to see you.”
“Deliver my message first,” Reinette, said, with the air of a princess, for the woman’s manner displeased her and she could see no reason why she should stand there staring so fixedly at her with that strange look in her glittering eyes as of one insane.
At this command Mrs. La Rue turned to leave the room, but ere she went she laid her hand on Reinette’s tenderly, caressingly, as we touch the hands of those we love, and said:
“Excuse me, but I must touch you once, must thank you.” So saying she left the room and did not return, nor did Reinette ever see her again, except on one occasion when she was driving with Margery in the Bois de Boulogne, and passed her, sitting upon a bench beneath a shade tree. The recognition was mutual, but Reinette did not return her slight nod, or pretend to see her at all.