Aura's face crimsoned with anger as she retorted:
"You could not expect papa to support you like a fine lady. You have no claim on him!"
The calm, refined Mrs. Winans turned to her and said courteously:
"What you have said is quite true, Miss Stanley. Ladybird has no claim on your father's care, but you will no doubt be glad to hear that she has claims on others. Her mother was my dearest friend, and as such I feel a maternal interest in her orphan daughter. Ladybird need not remain dependent on Mr. Stanley a moment longer. She shall return with me to my home at once, and take her place as my adopted daughter."
It seemed to Aura a wonder that she did not fall down dead of pure anger and chagrin at those tender words from the beautiful Mrs. Winans.
She gasped for breath and stood silent for a moment, furious with rage so wild that she would have liked to have struck pretty, triumphant Ladybird, nestling so close to the gentle lady who had been her mother's dear friend, and was now taking the daughter's part in this noble fashion.
What could she say, what could she do to circumvent their plans for her defeat?
She remained so quiet that Mrs. Winans added:
"We have already outstayed the limit of a first call, so get ready at once, dear, and come home with us."