That was not Mrs. Furze’s reason. She had said nothing to Catharine, but she instinctively dreaded her hostility to the scheme. Mr. Furze knew that was not Mrs. Furze’s reason, but he accepted it. Mrs. Furze knew it was not her own reason, but she also accepted it, and believed it to be the true reason. Such contradictions are quite possible in that mystery of mysteries the human soul.
“My dear Catharine,” quoth her mother that evening, “you look worried and done up. No wonder, considering what we have gone through. A change would do you good, and you had better go and stay with your aunt at Ely till we have a roof of our own over our heads once more. She will be delighted to see you.”
Catharine particularly objected to her aunt at Ely. She was a maiden lady and elder sister to Mrs. Furze. She had a small annuity, had turned herself into a most faithful churchwoman, and went to live at Ely because it was cheap and a cathedral city. Every day, morning and afternoon, was Aunt Matilda to be seen at the cathedral services, and frequently she was the only attendant, save the choir and officials.
“Why do you want me out of the way?” said Catharine, dismissing without the least notice the alleged pretext.
“I have told you, my dear.”
“I cannot go to Ely. If you wish me to go anywhere, I will go to Mrs. Bellamy’s.”
“My dear, that is not a sufficient change for you. Ely is a different climate, and I cannot consent to quartering you on a stranger for so long.”
“Mrs. Bellamy will not object. Will the new house be like the old one?”
“Well, really, may dear, nothing at present is quite determined; no doubt your father will take the opportunity of making a few improvements.”
“My bedroom, I hope, will be what it was before, and in the same place.”