"It is nothing to you if I have," retorted Octave, offended at the remark. The point was a sore one; Octave being unpleasantly conscious that she was thin to plainness. "You have grown plump enough, at any rate."
"To be sure," said Treve. "I'm always jolly. It was too bad of you, Octave, not to bring the rest."
"So it was," said Amelia. "They had dressed for it, and at the last moment Octave made them stay at home."
But George was not going to take this quietly. Saying nothing, he left the room and made the best of his way to Trevlyn Hold. The rooms seemed deserted. At length he found Maude in the schoolroom, correcting exercises, and shedding a few quiet tears. After they had dressed for the visit, Octavia had placed her veto upon it, and Emily and Edith had retired to bed in vexation. Miss Diana was spending the evening out with Mrs. Chattaway, and Octave had had it all her own way.
"I have come for you, Maude," said George.
Maude's heart beat with anticipation. "I don't know whether I may dare to go," she said, glancing shyly at him.
"Has anyone except Octave forbidden you?"
"Only Octave."
Lying on a chair, George saw a bonnet and a cloak which he recognised as Maude's. In point of fact, she had thrown them off when forbidden the visit by Miss Chattaway. His only answer was to fold the cloak around her. And she put on the bonnet, and went out with him, shocked at her own temerity, but unable to resist the temptation.
"You are trembling," he cried, drawing her closer to him as he bent his head.