But, then, you see, her chamber was no closet, but a
large and stately room; and, besides, how, alas! _could_ the
child of Roger and Lady M. Alice Mortimer know that in the
silence was hearing--that in the vacancy was a power waiting to
be sought? Hesper was not much alone, and here was a chance it
was a pity she should lose; but, when she came to herself with a
sigh, it was not to pray, and, when she rose, it was to ring the
bell.
A good many minutes passed before it was answered. She paced the
room--swiftly; she could sit, but she could not walk slowly. With
her hands to her head, she went sweeping up and down. Her maid's
knock arrested her before her toilet-table, with her back to the
door. In a voice of perfect composure, she desired the woman to
ask Miss Yolland to come to her.
Entering with a slight stoop from the waist, Sepia, with a long,
rapid, yet altogether graceful step, bore down upon Hesper like a
fast-sailing cutter over broad waves, relaxing her speed as she
approached her.
"Here I am, Hesper!" she said.
"Sepia," said Hesper, "I am sold."
Miss Yolland gave a little laugh, showing about the half of her
splendid teeth--a laugh to which Hesper was accustomed, but the
meaning of which she did not understand--nor would, without
learning a good deal that were better left unlearned. "To Mr.
Redmain, of course!" she said.
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