“Oh, Aunt Anna,” she exclaimed, “I am so glad you have come. I have felt so fidgety all the morning, I couldn’t settle to anything. It is so good of you to have come over again so early.”
“I promised you I would, my dear,” the new-comer replied. “I knew you would be anxious to see me after your father being with us last night.”
“You had a long talk with mamma first, and then you and papa had time to consider it all?” said Madelene, “oh, I do hope—”
Lady Cheynes interrupted her.
“I will tell you all about it,” she said, “but first tell me—how is poor Ellen this morning? Had she a good night?”
Madelene shook her head.
“Not very, I’m afraid. It is so provoking—with all our care to save her anxiety—last night when Ella was taken to say good-night to her, mamma found out in an instant that the child had a cold, and she has been worrying about it ever since. I spoke as severely as I could to Harvey this morning. Of course it is all her fault.”
Lady Cheynes in her turn shook her head.
“Of course it is her fault. But I am afraid it is no use for you to say anything, my dear Maddie. It is a vicious circle. Ellen’s faith in Harvey must not be destroyed, for it could only be done at a terrible risk to your poor mother—and yet the more Harvey is left to herself the more and more she presumes upon it.”
“I am not quite sure of that, Aunt Anna,” said Madelene. “There must be good in Harvey, I hope—Ella is very fond of her.”