Madelene’s face softened.
“I am afraid Ella is too superficial, if not heartless—” she said, though with reluctance. “For all Philip’s careless manner, he has really deep feelings. He would be miserable with a frivolous wife.”
“Maddie, you are prejudiced. I don’t think you have any right to think Ella shallow—her deeper feelings may not have been awakened yet, but that is a different matter,” said Ermine. “I think it would be delightful.”
“It certainly would cut the knot of several difficulties,” Madelene allowed.
“And they are far more likely to be attracted to each other, meeting as strangers,” said Ermine. “It is as good as a play! Philip is prejudiced against Ella—he fancies she is a worry to us, and she would have found this out at once, she is so quick! Oh, I think it is too lucky that they should have met like this.” Ermine looked quite ready in her enthusiasm to clap her hands—Madelene could not resist the infection. She smiled at her sister.
“My dear child,” she said, “I had no idea you were such a matchmaker. What would Aunt Anna say to it?”
“Aunt Anna knows what she is about. Don’t trouble about her,” said Ermine. “But we must not be seen whispering together like this. I want to get hold of Major Frost, to prevent his finding anything out, and spoiling it all.”
Miss St Quentin sat still for a moment or two after her sister had left her.
“If I could feel sure that Ella has any real character, real depth,” she thought. “It would certainly be very nice—if her future were assured it might, indirectly, make many things easier. It would surely make papa less morbid.”
And Madelene sighed a little as for once she allowed her imagination to glance backwards on what might have been had cares and responsibilities fallen less prematurely upon her.