Rose was delighted to see her aunt in the carriage when she ran out to meet it.
“Rhoda did not think you would be able to come, Aunt Lucy. Were you very much frightened when you heard about it? Poor Rhoda looks quite ill But Pauline is really better. She has slept since her grandmother came. She knew her directly, and has held her hand tight ever since. Poor old lady, she is so fond of her.”
“I wish we could move her to Woodcote,” Miss Merivale said. “I must speak to the doctor about it. I will go and see Mrs. Prance for a moment, Rosie darling. And then we will go home. Oh, my darling, I am so thankful!”
She held Rose close to her, and kissed her once or twice before she let her go. Till that moment she had hardly been able to realise her happiness in having Rose safe.
Rose began to talk again of Pauline as they were driving home. “How strange she could be so silent about her grandmother and yet be so fond of her, Aunt Lucy! Or do you think that she is only fond of her when she wants her? She was calling for her over and over again all last night.”
“I expect she is really fond of her, dear. As fond as she can be of anybody. I don’t wish to speak harshly of her, Rose, and we will do all we can for her. But you must not live with her again. Not because her grandmother is Mrs. Smith,” added Miss Merivale quickly, afraid that Rose might misunderstand her. “It isn’t that. Rhoda’s people are in the same rank of life as the Smiths, yet Rhoda is a true gentlewoman.”
“Aunt Lucy, I could not live with Pauline again,” Rose said earnestly. “Besides, I want to live at home. I believe I shall loathe the thought of a flat as long as I live. Pauline has effectually cured me of my desire to live in one.”
“She and Mrs. Smith must come to stay with us as soon as she can be moved,” Miss Merivale said. “Perhaps this illness will make her see things differently, Rosie. Let us hope so.”
“Rhoda knew all the time,” Rose said, after a moment’s pause. “Poor Pauline, how angry she would have been if she had guessed it! If I had been Rhoda, I should have told her.”
“We should not have known where to telegraph if it had not been for Rhoda. Her uncle—Mr. M’Alister’s brother, I mean—has a shop next door to Mr. Price. It was he who told Mr. Harding that Rhoda was with us. I fancy he was rather distressed to find that she was not with Mrs. M’Alister. But I think I have convinced him that we have taken good care of her.”