I had not interrupted Lottie; when she paused, I was speechless still.
"What do you think now?" she demanded, triumphantly.
"I do not know," I answered, so troubled and despondent that I had no courage to rebuke the girl.
"We'll fix her yet," said Lottie; "don't you fret, Miss Hyde. I'll pay Babylon off before she's many weeks older, or you may call my head a puff-ball."
"You silly child," I returned, smiling in spite of myself, "what can you do?"
"Come, I like that!" snapped Lottie. "Why, what sort of a state would you all be in if it wasn't for me--tell me that? I've got my dear mistress, and Miss Jessie, and you, and everybody on my hands; but I'll bring you out square, I will, Miss Hyde."
"I wish you would leave things as they are, Lottie, and attend to your own affairs."
"These are my affairs, Miss Hyde, now don't say they ain't! I'm not a bad girl; I love them that have been kind to me, and I'd sooner have my hand burned off than not try to help them when I see they need it."
"Be careful that you get into no mischief."
"I'll take care of myself! Only wait, Miss Hyde. Keep tranquil and cool, Lottie's around!"
She gave another jump, a louder crow, and lighted on her feet, in no way discomposed by her impromptu leap.
By this time we had come in sight of the house. Lottie looked back.
"I see Babylon's red shawl," said she; "off's the word. Good-bye, Miss Hyde."
She darted away before I could speak, and I walked on toward the house, in no mood to encounter the woman at that moment. I saw Jessie and Mr. Lee standing upon the terrace; he turned and went into the house after a few seconds. I paused a moment, collected myself as well as I was able, and walked toward the spot where Jessie stood, determined to tell her at once of my visit to Mr. Bosworth, and urge her to comply with the request which he had made.
Jessie did not look up as I approached; she stood absently pulling the flowers from a vine that fell in luxuriant masses over a trellis by her side, and appeared so much engrossed by her own thoughts, that she did not even hear my footsteps.
They were not pleasant reflections which filled her mind. Sunny visions, such as those which, a few weeks since, had made her face so bright and beautiful, were seldom on her features now. I could see by the mournful expression of her mouth, and the despondency of her whole attitude,--so unlike anything I was accustomed to remark in our Jessie, that something was troubling her.