'It's quite true,' said Nora with a deprecating wave of her hand. 'Every now and then I felt I couldn't put up with her any more. I forgot that I was dependent on her, and that if she dismissed me, I probably shouldn't be able to find another situation, and I just flew at her. I must say she was very nice about it; she used to look at me and grin, and when it was all over, say: 'My dear, when you marry, if your husband's a wise man, he'll use a big stick now and then.''
'Old cat!'
'I should like to see any man try it,' said Nora with emphasis.
Miss Pringle dismissed the supposition with a wave of her hand. 'How much do you think she's left you?' she asked eagerly.
'Well, of course I don't know; the will is going to be read this afternoon, when they come back from the funeral. But from what she said, I believe about two hundred and fifty pounds a year.'
'It's the least she could do. She's had the ten best years of your life.' Nora gave a long, happy sigh. 'Just think of it! Never to be at anybody's beck and call again. I shall be able to get up when I like and go to bed when I like, go out when I choose and come in when I choose. Think of what that means!'
'Unless you marry--you probably will,' said Miss Pringle in a discouraging tone.
'Never.'
'What do you purpose doing?'
'I shall go to Italy, Florence, Rome; oh, everywhere I've so longed to go. Do you think it's horrible of me? I'm so happy!'
'My dear child!' said Miss Pringle with real feeling.
At that moment the sound of carriage wheels came to them. Turning quickly, Nora saw the carriage containing Mr. and Mrs. Wickham coming up the drive. 'There they are now. How the time has gone!'
'I'd better go, hadn't I?' said Miss Pringle with manifest reluctance.
'I'm afraid you must: I'm sorry.'
'Couldn't I go up to your room and wait there? I do so want to know about the will.'
Nora hesitated a moment. She didn't want to take Miss Pringle up to her bare little room. A sort of loyalty to the woman who was, after all, to be her benefactress--for was she not, after all, with her legacy, going to make the happy future pay rich interest for the unhappy past?--made her reluctant to let anyone know how poorly she had been lodged.
'No,' she said; 'I'll tell you what, stay here in the garden. They want to catch the four-something back to London. And, later, we can have a cozy little tea all by ourselves.'
'Very well. Oh, my dear,' said Miss Pringle with emotion, 'I'm so sincerely happy in your good luck!'
Nora was genuinely moved. She leaned over and kissed Miss Pringle, her eyes filling with quick tears.
Then she went into the house. The Wickhams were already in the drawing-room. Mrs. James Wickham was a pretty young woman, a good ten years younger than her unattractive husband. Of the two, Nora preferred Mr. Wickham. There was a certain cynicism about her insincerity which his, somehow, lacked. Even now, they wore their rue with a difference.
Mrs. Wickham's mourning was as correct and elegant as a fashionable dressmaker could make it; the very latest thing in grief. Mr. Wickham was far less sumptuous. Beyond the customary band on his hat and a pair of black gloves conspicuously new, he had apparently made little expenditure on his costume. As Nora entered, Mrs. Wickham was pulling off her gloves.
'How do yon do?' she said carelessly. 'Ouf! Do put the blinds up, Miss Marsh. Really, we needn't be depressed any more. Jim, if you love me, take those gloves off. They're perfectly revolting.'
'Why, what's wrong with them! The fellow in the shop told me they were the right thing.'
