"Miss Merton, I do not understand what you have been saying. If you have any claim upon Miss Mallory, you know well that she is the soul of honor and generosity. Her one desire is to give everybody more than their due. She is too generous--I often have to protect her. But, as I have said before, it is not for me to discuss any claim you may have upon her."
Fanny Merton was silent for a minute--staring at her companion. Then she said, abruptly:
"Does she ever talk to you about Aunt Sparling?"
"Her mother?"
The girl nodded.
Mrs. Colwood hesitated--then said, unwillingly: "No. She has mentioned her once or twice. One can see how she missed her as a child--how she misses her still."
"Well, I don't know what call she has to miss her!" cried Fanny Merton, in a note of angry scorn. "A precious good thing she died when she did--for everybody."
Mrs. Colwood felt her hands trembling. In the growing darkness of the winter afternoon it seemed to her startled imagination as though this black-eyed black-browed girl, with her scowling passionate face, were entering into possession of the house and of Diana--an evil and invading power. She tried to choose her words carefully.
"Miss Mallory has never talked to me of her parents. And, if you will excuse me, Miss Merton--if there is anything sad--or tragic--in their history, I would rather hear it from Miss Mallory than from you!"
"Anything sad?--anything sad? Well, upon my word!--"