They continued to speak of the Hughes's and their affairs, and the interest of Betsey Travice appeared to be awakened. She had risen to go upstairs, but halted near the door, listening still.
"And now tell me," began Charlotte, when they were alone together in the chamber, "how you dared so to disgrace me!"
"Oh, Charlotte, how have I disgraced you? Do not be unkind to me. I wish I had not come."
"I wish it too with all my heart! Why did you come? How on earth could you think of coming? What possessed you to do it?"
"Mrs. Arkell wrote for me. She wrote to Mrs. Dundyke, asking her to see me off. I should, never else have thought of coming."
"Did I write for you, pray? Could you not have known that if you were wanted I should have written, and, failing that, you were not to come? You wicked girl!"
Betsey burst into tears. She had been domineered over in this manner, by Charlotte, all her life; and she took it with appropriate humility and repentance.
"Charlotte, you know I'd lay down my life to do you any good; why are you so angry with me?"
"And you do do me good, don't you!" retorted Charlotte. "Look at the awful disgrace you have this very evening brought upon me!"
"What disgrace?" asked Betsey, her blue eyes bespeaking compassion from the midst of her tears.