“It will be so easy to do that,” she thought, bitterly. “Ah, Doctor Charley’s words were but sophistry. He will not let me win him back. Perhaps already his thoughts have gone after beautiful Louise.”
Tortured by such thoughts as these it was no wonder that her strength came back so slowly that Phebe would not consent to her leaving the room for more than a week.
Indeed the maid would have liked to keep her mistress from mingling at all with the rest of the family, for she knew that her orders to the footman had been countermanded by Cecil, and that the Barrys were frequent and honored guests at The Acacias.
Phebe knew another thing that made her uneasy for the sake of her forlorn young mistress.
There was a conspiracy afoot to discharge her by way of punishment for what was deemed her impertinence to Miss Barry. Phebe had heard the rumor, but she kept silence, hoping that her young mistress would insist on retaining her for her own sake.
About ten days after that marriage ceremony in the invalid’s chamber Molly declared that she was well enough to go out of her room and that she should breakfast with the family that morning.
Phebe gave a ready assent to the plan and dressed her very tastefully, taking pains to bring out every one of her young mistress’ beauties by her well-chosen morning dress.
Then she led her herself to the dining-room, fearful that her agitation might make her faint by the way.
Mr. Laurens, his wife and son were already in the room. They looked up in surprise at Molly’s entrance.
Poor Molly, poor trembling little culprit! She would have given worlds for one kind look from her husband’s eyes. She turned an imploring glance on his cold face, but he met it with one of surprise and displeasure, supplemented by a slight bow, then let her take her seat at the table without further notice.