But there was no apparent sorrow or remorse on the complacent face of the lady as she gave her orders and directions to the new maid.
The uppermost thought in her mind was how to make the most of her beauty.
Golden had to arrange her hair twice before she was suited, and she tried several dresses in turn before she decided on one. She was inordinately vain and fond of finery, and Golden thought pitifully to herself:
"Her beauty is the only hold she has on my father, and she is compelled to make its preservation the sole aim of her life."
She wondered a little that no yearning throb had stirred her heart at the sight of her beautiful mother, but she told herself that it was simply because her mother's sin had wholly alienated the natural affection of her purer-hearted daughter.
She pitied her with a great, yearning pity, but no impulse prompted her to kiss the dewy, crimson lips, she had no temptation to pillow her head on the fair bosom that had denied its shelter and sustenance to her helpless infancy.
Mrs. Leith did not look as if she would have made a tender mother.
"Have you any children, madam?" she asked, suddenly, and Mrs. Leith answered:
"No," rather shortly, but added a minute later: "And I am glad of it, for I do not love children. But Mr. Leith does, and is rather sorry that we have none."