“What makes you stare so, Fan?” she said with a laugh, as she stood surveying herself in the tall glass, and fastening the bracelets on.
“Oh, ma'am, you do look so beautiful in that dress! Are you going to the theatre to-night?”
“No, Fan. On Wednesday evenings I always have a number of friends come in to see me—all gentlemen. I have very few lady friends, and care very little for them. And, now I think of it, you can sit up to-night until I tell you to go to bed.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Miss Starbrow was moving towards the door. Then she paused, and finally came back and sat down again, and drew Fan against her knee as before.
“Fan,” she said, “when you speak about me to others, and to me in the presence of others, or of the servants, call me Miss Starbrow. I don't like to hear you call me ma'am, it wounds my ear. Do you understand?”
“Yes—Miss Starbrow.”
“But when we are alone together, as we are now, let me hear you call me Mary. That's my Christian name, and I should like to hear you speak it. Will you remember?”
“Yes”; and then from her lips trembled the name “Mary.”
“It sounds very loving and sweet,” said the other, and, drawing the girl closer, for the first time she kissed her.