CHAPTER XVI.
“What a change.”
When the sisters retired to their apartment for the night, Frances’ exuberantly gay spirits received a sad check; she saw at a glance, how thoroughly unhappy Julia was.
The extraordinary change in Edmund’s circumstances, was freely talked over and wondered at, even in the presence of Alice; and she ventured to express her joy on the occasion, and to comment on how delighted her aunt, and, indeed, every servant at Lodore would be, when they should hear of what had happened.
A few moments of silence followed her dismissal, during which, Frances looked enquiringly at her sister.
“Well, we have had a full explanation,” said Julia.
“Indeed!” cried Frances, “and what did he say, Julia?”
“Oh, treated all the friendship, that all or any of us could offer him, with sovereign contempt!”