'It would not be from any motive of that kind I should like to hear from Madame d'Ermont again,' said Celestina's mother. 'It is true our child has no one to look to but ourselves, and neither her father nor I can boast of very strong health—but still——'
'Oh, I beg your pardon,' interrupted Mrs. Vane impulsively; 'I quite understand your feeling, and I did not mean to say anything you could dislike. But still I will look out Madame d'Ermont's address, or get it from my mother, and when I write to her I may tell her of you, may I not?'
'I should be very grateful if you would do so,' Mrs. Fairchild replied.
Then they went on to speak of the details of the arrangement they had been making, and soon after Mrs. Vane left.
That afternoon she called Bridget to her.
'Bride,' she said, 'I have something to say to you.'
'Yes, mamma,' Biddy replied, but without giving much attention. It was probably, she thought, only to reprove her for her way of sitting at table, or for having been cross to Jane, or for one of the hundred and one little misdemeanours she was always being guilty of. And Biddy was in a queerish mood just now: there was a good deal of battling and pulling two ways going on in her baby heart. Was the lazy little soul beginning to grow, I wonder?
'Yes, mamma,' she said indifferently, with her peevish 'I didn't mean,' quite ready to trot out on the smallest provocation.
'You must give your attention, my dear,' said Mrs. Vane; 'it is something rather particular I want to tell you about.'
'I am giving my attention,' said Biddy, though it did not look very like it.