I glanced smilingly at Caroline's flushed face, and then wished them good afternoon.
'I hear that you are going to stay at the cottage, Miss Haddon?'
'For three or four months I am, Mrs Chichester.'
'Until you find another engagement, I presume?' she asked, eyeing me curiously.
'Until I make another engagement,' I smilingly replied.
But the 'three or four months' had aroused her suspicions, though I did not perceive in what way.
'You have made the best of your sojourn at Fairview, Miss Haddon'—softly.
'The very best, Mrs Chichester,' was my cheerful response; although I did not see the whole of her meaning, as I was to see it later. I knew enough to be sure the drift of it was not very friendly. One thing was very palpable—I made no advance in Mrs Chichester's good graces.
They followed me to the hall with messages for Lilian.
'I can't forget that she's Pa's daughter, you know,' said Marian, once more striving to be generous. 'Give my love to her, and tell her not to hesitate about sending for anything she may require from the garden or what not; she will miss things so at first, you know. And I don't see why she shouldn't have milk; cook said we have more than she can use just now. If we go on keeping two cows she shall always have it. And say that the very first time we drive out I will call at the cottage.'