“Something James said. I wasn’t paying much heed, but it was something about Fanny’s too close resemblance to her mother. And then he stopped short, and when I asked him what he meant he fobbed me off, saying that Fanny was as foolish as her mother. But I didn’t think he did mean that, and nor did Mary. She remembers more than I do, of course, and she tells me that you elder ones always thought that something had happened—some indiscretion, perhaps—”
“I never thought any such thing!” intervened Selina firmly. “And if I had I should have considered it most improper to have pried into it! If Mama had wished me to know anything about it, she would have told me!”
“So there was something!” said Abby. “A skeleton in our respectable cupboard! I wish I could know what it was! But I daresay it would prove to be no more than the skeleton of a mouse.”
Chapter II
Not long after eleven o’clock that evening, a gentle tap on the door of Abby’s bedchamber was followed immediately by the entrance of Miss Fanny Wendover, who first peeped cautiously into the room, and then, when she saw her aunt seated at the dressing-table, uttered a joyful squeak, and ran to fling herself into the arms held out to her, exclaiming: “You aren’t in bed and asleep! I told Grimston you wouldn’t be! Oh, how glad I am to see you again! how much I’ve missed you, dear, dear Abby!”
It would not have surprised Abby if she had been greeted with reserve, even with the wary, half-defiant manner of one expectant of censure and ready to defend herself; but there was no trace of consciousness in the welcome accorded her, and nothing but affection in the beautiful eyes which, as Fanny sank down at her feet, clasping her hands, were raised so innocently to hers.