"I shall not come down to breakfast.--Don't look so, love!--I can't help it."
"Why was that calico got for me and not for you?" said Fleda, bitterly.
"A sixpenny calico," said Mrs. Rossitur smiling,--"it would be hard if you could not have so much as that, love."
"And you will not see Mrs. Evelyn and her daughters at all!--and I was thinking that it would do you so much good!--"
Mrs. Rossitur drew her face a little nearer and kissed it, over and over.
"It will do you good, my darling--that is what I care for much more."
"It will not do me half as much," said Fleda sighing.
Her spirits were in their old place again; no more a tip-toe to-night. The short light of pleasure was overcast. She went to bed feeling very quiet indeed; and received Mrs. Evelyn and excused her aunt the next day, almost wishing the lady had not been as good as her word. But though in the same mood she set off with her to drive to Montepoole, it could not stand the bright influences with which she found herself surrounded. She came home again at night with dancing spirits.
It was some days before Capt. Rossitur began at all to comprehend the change which had come upon his family. One morning Fleda and Hugh having finished their morning's work were in the breakfast-room waiting for the rest of the family, when Charlton made his appearance, with the cloud on his brow which had been lately gathering.
"Where is the paper?" said he. "I haven't seen a paper since I have been here."