--I would give him absolute fair play."
The last three words she spoke with a strange expression of
mingled scorn and jest, then paused, and seemed to have said all
she meant to say.
"Go on," sighed Hesper; "you amuse me." Her tone expressed
anything but amusement. "What would a woman of your experience do
in my place?"
Sepia fixed a momentary look on Hesper; the words seemed to have
stung her. She knew well enough that, if Lady Malice came to know
anything of her real history, she would have bare time to pack up
her small belongings. She wanted Hesper married, that she might
go with her into the world again; at the same time, she feared
her marriage with Mr. Redmain would hardly favor her wishes. But
she could not with prudence do anything expressly to prevent it;
while she might even please Mr. Redmain a little, if she were
supposed to have used influence on his side. That, however, must
not seem to Hesper. Sepia did not yet know in fact upon what
ground she had to build.
For some time she had been trying to get nearer to Hesper, but--
much like Hesper's experience with her--had found herself
strangely baffled, she could not tell how--the barrier being
simply the half innocence, half ignorance, of Hesper. When minds
are not the same, words do not convey between them.
She gave a ringing laugh, throwing back her head, and showing all
her fine teeth.
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