She caught out the comb with an angry grasp, and all over her neck and shoulders fell the heavy tangles of long, gray hair.
“I was young, beautiful, and beloved. Oh, it seems an age of years ago! I have been so wretched since. That child’s father caused his death! I lived! God knows how till your father came, and I married him. For love? Oh, no, for the poor protection that woman’s nature craves and a shelter from despair. But even this failed me!
“What a life for both! But I am revenged, ha! ha! They will wait long for their pretty darling, now.” The woman laughed wildly, and such a look of hate and exultation covered her face, that, in the fitful fire-light, was almost fiendish.
Catrina dropped her hands on her lap, and shuddered, while her eyes were fixed upon the wretched woman with a kind of fascination.
“Go to work! go to work! I say, you stupid little witch, what are you staring at? You look as if you were frightened out of the little sense you have.”
Again the woman laughed a strange laugh, that grated harshly upon the ear of the unfortunate girl. Tears filled her eyes, but still no reply.
Poor child! she had never spoken one word in her short but sorrowful life. She was only the poor little step-daughter of the woman, and since the death of her father she had been unhappy.
The noise had awakened the little one, and opening her large eyes, she looked around first with wonder, and then with fear, at the strange place and strange faces before her. The woman rose and took her in her arms.
“So, little chick, you are awake, and how do you think your lady mamma feels now, and your proud papa? Ha! ha! he never thought how I felt, when years ago he brought death to my heart, nor will I think of him.”
Slowly she began swaying the child to and fro, talking fiercely all the while. The tiny lips of the baby quivered, as, for a moment, she suppressed her cry, then a pitiful wail filled the cottage.