My Mother's Rival / Everyday Life Library No. 4

wrong at Tayne Hall. Mrs. Eastwood, after a long interview with my mother, had gone away to the co

y be said to have ended; from that time domestic management may be summed up in a few words-constant opposition to my mother's wishes and constant, flattering attention to those of my father. If my mother missed the little dainties that Mrs. Eastwood had lavished o

ven remembered the existence of my mother. As for any reference to her, she never thought of it. Hundreds of times, when I have been busy with my lessons, she has come to the study, and, rapping at the

y do you never think or speak of my mother? M

tone of voice sh

nd you are but a child-sho

"But whether I am a child or not, I can see that

complained?" she

plied, with all a child's

, with a peculiar smile. "Lad

" I replied, "and plenty of

lied Miss Reinhart, and t

ave every person in the house under her control. One by one the old servants disappeared-there was some fault or other with each one-and my father grew m

was left alone with Sir Roland, and the f

we have great cha

d so far as I can see, they have

rant me one favo

oes this mean?" for I had thrown myself in his

whatever changes go on, you will not let

dreadful

n suggest such a thing? Certainly not. The whole househo

eved. It was quite useless talking;

ry day Miss Reinhart became more of a companion to my father. She ingratiated herself by degrees. At first it had been merely his breakfast, afterward she offered her services over his letters; she answered many of them in a clear, legible hand that plea

rs? Did her pale, sweet, wistful face ever

d that he wou

errace here, and let us have some fresh air. If you will

ation, brilliant and fascinating, only too anxious to please him in every wa

r, waiting, watching for him and asking me, in the sweet, low tones, if I knew where he was. I learned my lesson sharply enou

ura," she said. "I never enjoy an

re going to the grounds. He was smoking a cigar; she was looking most fascinating and beaut

he grounds with

t the face turned to mine, so

Laura? Come here; I

ew what I had done quite well. Patience came round

w how ill even the least emotion makes you, an

face gre

emember,"

on, but my intelligence had

," I replied, "and I saw hi

ot walk out with Miss Reinhart. Laura, d

an that, two or three times each day I had seen them; but Patience looked

ll I ever speak as plainly and a

much and brightened her sweet face; but that evening, when I went back to her r

ed, with loving, wistful eyes. "I

g face, for I had left my governess with him, "and you know that I am growing

nhart, Laura,

estion, and say that she generally enjoyed herself after dinner in her own fashion. She looked very re

oom, the loving, wistful eyes would seek mi

e is

f events-for Patience came to the drawing-room door, where Sir Roland an

and. You wished me always to tell you when my lady

sit with Lady T

beautiful, brilliant

not sitting with y

my jealous heart would not le

ed him, and with it-child though I was-I had a feeli

to her look

hart," he said. "Lady Tayne is not so well;

e so self-sacrificing. I must follow your good example. Can I

irresolute

very long," he sai

lways heard that the nights in the country wer

r did not spend his evenings with her she would go back to town. He knew it as well, I am sure, from th