Perkin, whose reception of Mary she had learned, Folter hastened
to report the fact, and succeeded thereby in occasioning no small
uneasiness in the bosom of the housekeeper, who was almost as
much afraid of her mistress as the other servants were of
herself. Some time she spent in expectant trepidation, but
gradually, as nothing came of it, calmed her fears, and concluded
that her behavior to Mary had been quite correct, seeing the girl
had made it no ground of complaint.
But, although Hesper, being at the moment in tolerable spirits,
in reaction from her depression of the day before, received Mary
with a kiss, she did not ask her a question about her journey, or
as to how she had spent the night. She was there, and looking all
right, and that was enough. On the other hand, she did proceed to
have her at once properly settled.
The little room appointed her looked upon a small court or yard,
and was dark, but otherwise very comfortable. As soon as she was
left to herself, she opened her boxes, put her things away in
drawers and wardrobe, arranged her books within easy reach of the
low chair Hesper had sent for from the drawing-room for her, and
sat down to read a little, brood a little, and build a few
castles in the air, more lovely than evanescent: no other house
is so like its builder as this sort of castle.
About eight o'clock, Folter summoned her to go to Mrs.
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