"He is the only fraction of a friend I have in this house," said Rotha. "But you needn't think, aunt Serena, that you can do what you like with Mr. Southwode and me. I belong to him, not to you; and he will come back, and then he will take me under his own care, and I will have nothing to do with you the rest of my life. I know you now. I thought I did before, and now I know. You let mamma want everything in the world; and now perhaps you will let me; but Mr. Southwode will take care of me, sooner or later, and I can wait, for I know him too."
Rotha left the room, unconsciously with the air of a tragedy queen. Alas, it was tragedy enough with her!
"Mamma!" said Antoinette. "Did you ever see anything like that?"
"I knew it was in her," Mrs. Busby said, keeping her composure in appearance.
"What will you do with her?"
"Let her alone a little," said Mrs. Busby icily. "Let her come to her senses."
"Will you go to get her cloak to-day?"
"I don't know why I should give myself any trouble about her. I will let her wait till she comes to her senses and humbles herself to me."
"Do you think she ever will?"
"I don't care, whether she does or not. It is all the same to me. You let her alone too, Antoinette."