"
Hesper obeyed, with calmness, but without a doubt that evil
awaited her there. To that room she had never been summoned for
anything she could call good. And indeed she knew well enough
what evil it was that to-day played the Minotaur. When they
reached the boudoir, rightly so called, for it was more in use
for _sulking_ than for anything else, Lady Margaret, with
back as straight as the door she had just closed, led the way to
the fire, and, seating herself, motioned Hesper to a chair.
Hesper again obeyed, looking as unconcerned as if she cared for
nothing in this world or in any other. Would we were all as
strong to suppress hate and fear and anxiety as some ladies are
to suppress all show of them! Such a woman looks to me like an
automaton, in which a human soul, somewhere concealed, tries to
play a good game of life, and makes a sad mess of it.
"Well, Hesper, what do you think?" said her mother, with a dull
attempt at gayety, which could nowise impose upon the experience
of her daughter.
"I think nothing, mamma," drawled Hesper.
"Mr. Redmain has come to the point at last, my dear child."
"What point, mamma?"
"He had a private interview with your father this morning."
"Indeed!"
"Foolish girl! you think to tease me by pretending indifference!"
"How can a fact be pretended, mamma? Why should I care what
passes in the study? I was never welcome there.
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