All arrangements were concluded greatly to her satisfaction, and then Lady Dartelle asked Millicent if she would not like to see her new pupil. The young girl said "Yes," and in answer to a summons from her ladyship, the child came into the room.
Then, for the first time, Millicent's heart was touched; the large, earnest eyes looked into her own with an appealing expression, the little burning hand trembled as it lay in her own. Millicent bent down and kissed the sweet face. Something stirred in her heart that had long seemed dead--something that brought with it exquisite pleasure and exquisite pain.
"In cases of this kind," said Lady Dartelle, "I find there is nothing like a clear and straightforward understanding. I should like to tell you, Miss Holte, that when we are quite alone you will sometimes dine with us, and occasionally spend the evening in the drawing-room; but when we have visitors such an arrangement will be impossible. My reasons for saying this," continued her ladyship, blandly, turning to Mrs. Chalmers, "are these. My son Aubrey is a frequent visitor at Hulme Abbey; he often brings friends with him; and then I think precautions with young people are necessary. I have seen sad results among my friends where the precautions I think so necessary have not been taken."
"I shall never wish for any society but that of my little pupil, Lady Dartelle," said Millicent.
And her ladyship was graciously pleased to observe that Miss Holte seemed to be very sensible.
It was all arranged; but as they drove home a sudden doubt came to Hyacinth. Lady Dartelle spoke of her son's bringing visitors with him. Suppose among them there should be any one she knew--any one who would recognize her? The very thought of it made her sick and faint. No, it was not likely; she had seen so few people, she had known so few--besides, when visitors came, it was Lady Dartelle's wish that she should not appear.
"Even if I do appear," she said, "who that has known me in my bright happy days--who that has known me as Hyacinth Vaughan--would recognize me now?"
Who could discover the lovely, smiling, radiant face under that sad, careworn look? Where was the light that had shone in the beautiful eyes--where were the smiles that had played round the perfect lips--where the grace and happiness that had made the face like sunshine? Years seemed to have passed over that bowed head--years of sorrow, of care, of misery. No one could recognize her. She need have no fear.