"I must go in now," she had said, suddenly, and he noticed her lips were pale. "Doreen wants me. Yes, I understand, Everard, and you have my best wishes—my best wishes." And then he had stood still and watched her, a tall, slim figure in white, moving between the fruit-trees and carrying her head proudly.
"And it is to Althea Harford that my daughter has applied for a situation," thought Everard, sadly. And again he told himself that he was draining the cup of humiliation to the very dregs.
CHAPTER IX.
ROSALIND AND CELIA.
"A hero worshipped and throned high
On the heights of a sweet romance,
A faithful friend who was 'always the same'
Till the clouds grew heavy and troubles came.
But this is life, and this is to live,
And this is the way of the world."
Gertrude Carey.
Waveney sat on the bench feeling very forlorn and deserted until her father came back to her. He had evidently pulled himself together, for he looked at her with his old kind smile, though perhaps his lips were not quite steady.
"Come, little girl, don't fret," he said, tenderly. "Least said is soonest mended, and we must just go through with it."
"But, father, are you sure you do not mind?" she returned, eagerly. "We are very poor, but I would rather please you, dear, than have ever so much money—you know that, do you not?"