Page:Alice Lauder.pdf/172

“Because we think—we both think,” continued the old lady, just as calmly as if Alice had never spoken, “that you would have more influence over Mr. Campbell than anyone else here. We believe———” She paused, and then went on in the deepest of deliberate syllables, “We believe that Mr. Campbell has no object in seeking my niece’s society further than to while away the time. If he has an object in staying on here—and I fully believe he has—it is not to be near poor Lizzie, it is on your account, Miss Lauder.”

Alice turned very white at this homethrust, whether from pain or joy did not appear. She replied, after a moment’s pause for reflection, very gently and with no affectation:

“I really could not, Mrs. Granby, not even to save my life.”

“Not even to save another’s?”

The girl shook her head silently, and the old lady sighed.

“Then it’s no use saying any more. I think myself your scruples are overstrained in a matter of such importance as this really is. I would not have come to you for a mere trifle. Well, we will say no more,” and she rose to go with all the Granby manner of having put one in the wrong by the mere statement of facts. Alice