“How did you discover that--without seeing them together?”
“Well, perhaps you will think me very fanciful,” said Mrs. Vivian; “but it was by the way he looked at Angela. He has such an expressive face.”
“He looked at me very kindly, mamma,” Angela observed.
“He regularly stared, my daughter. In any one else I should have said it was rude. But his situation is so peculiar; and one could see that he admired you still.” And Mrs. Vivian gave a little soft sigh.
“Ah! she is thinking of the thirty thousand a year,” Bernard said to himself.
“I am sure I hope he admires me still,” the girl cried, laughing. “There is no great harm in that.”
“He was comparing you with Blanche--and he was struck with the contrast.”
“It could n’t have been in my favor. If it ‘s a question of being looked at, Blanche bears it better than I.”
“Poor little Blanche!” murmured Mrs. Vivian, sweetly.
“Why did you tell me he was so happy with her?” Angela asked, turning to Bernard, abruptly.
Bernard gazed at her a moment, with his eyebrows raised.
“I never saw any one ask such sudden questions!” he exclaimed.
“You can answer me at your leisure,” she rejoined, turning away.
“You would n’t say that at your leisure,” said the girl.
“You, who are so happy together, you ought to think kindly of others who are less fortunate.”
“That is very true, Mrs. Vivian; and I have never thought of any one so kindly as I have of Gordon for the last year.”
“Ah, no,” said Mrs. Vivian, “she is not bad; she is only very light. I am so glad she is to be near us again. I think a great deal can be done by association. We must help her, Angela. I think we helped her before.”
“It is also very true that she is light, Mrs. Vivian,” Bernard observed, “and if you could make her a little heavier, I should be tremendously grateful.”
Bernard’s prospective mother-in-law looked at him a little.
“I don’t know whether you are laughing at me--I always think you are. But I shall not give up Blanche for that. I never give up any one that I have once tried to help. Blanche will come back to me.”
Mrs. Vivian had hardly spoken when the sharp little vibration of her door-bell was heard in the hall. Bernard stood for a moment looking at the door of the drawing-room.