"No; it wasn't I who used it. I should have been glad to use another, if I could," said Mrs. Bowen, with perfect steadiness.
"Then you mean to say that you believe I've been trifling with the feelings of this child?"
"I mean to say nothing. You are very much older; and she is a romantic girl, very extravagant. You have tried to make her like you."
"I certainly have. I have tried to make Effie Bowen like me too."
Mrs. Bowen passed this over in serenity that he felt was not far from contempt.
He gave a laugh that did not express enjoyment.
"You have no right to laugh!" she cried, losing herself a little, and so making her first gain upon him.
"It appears not. Perhaps you will tell me what I am to do about this letter?"
"That is for you to decide." She recovered herself, and lost ground with him in proportion.
"I thought perhaps that since you were able to judge my motives so clearly, you might be able to advise me."