But in a moment the Duchess rose briskly, and put her hand kindly on Marjorie's shoulder.
"No, my dear. I shouldn't like that spoiled by anything else. Mr. Warde is right. You have a gift. But a girl like you should not be sad or--or perplexed. Forgive an old woman. Is something troubling you?"
Marjorie looked up into the keen eyes above her.
"Not troubling," she hesitated, "only things are sometimes perplexing."
As she spoke her eyes travelled to the window, through which came the sound of low-voiced chatter and delicate laughter. The older woman, looking at the girl, saw a sudden arrested look come into her eyes and, following their direction, was again puzzled. Charity, standing by Mrs. Bethune's chair, was smiling up into Mr. Pelham's face. She had the manner of one who is pleased, and who wishes to please, and her pretty daintiness of pose and dress was very attractive. Mr. Pelham's whole attention, as he conversed, was given to her. In his courteous attitude were expressed, in the eyes of the two lookers-on, both deference and admiration.
"That girl has grown very pretty," the Duchess said, "and Mr. Pelham seems to think so. He is quite an acquisition here, though I am amused to hear you sniffed at him at first."
"Yes," agreed Marjorie, a little pang at her heart.
The keen eyes travelled back again to Marjorie's face.
"But your mother was prettier than any of you. The sweetest, merriest creature ever seen, with you babies at her feet. I am glad to see her so much better, able to do even this little, poor soul, poor soul!"
The sudden tears welled up into Marjorie's eyes at the appreciation and tenderness of the tone.
"And, my dear--forgive an old woman again--but I think I have guessed Mr. Warde's hopes for a long time, and he is a good man. There, there"--as Marjorie's face grew agitated--"nothing could have happened better. Your mother will have you at hand, and though she is so unselfish and brave, she has missed you sadly; and there is plenty of money."
Marjorie listened in silence, with a feeling as though chains were being bound round her. As she walked back by the Duchess's side to her mother's chair she strove in vain to recall her courage. In the eyes of the man who watched her, as she came towards him, the shadow on her face had deepened with that little excursion into the house.