Chapter 7

Summary

On her entrance, she found no one in the drawing room. Her picture was lying on the table, quite finished as it appeared to her. She took off her hat, looked in the glass, which young ladies do almost mechanically, then at a picture of Emily's mother, which hung on one side of the mantelpiece, and lastly at one unfortunately more interesting to her eyes: that of Everard himself. She looked at it for a long time and sighed. Young ladies always do sigh when they see interesting portraits. She wiped away a little dust with her cambric handkerchief and sat down. She thought Emily a long time coming. She thought it a great pity poor Emily's brother was going away and with these two thoughts in her little brain, she laid her arms crossed on the table and bent her head down on them, a very bad attitude for any young lady.

She was roused from this reverie by the entrance of Emily who, tapping her on the shoulder, said, “Why my dearest, after what has happened, what have you been saying to one another?”

“One another,” repeated Alixe in astonishment, as she started up and saw Everard sitting opposite.

He answered calmly, “Oh, I assure I have said nothing. I was in the back drawing room and Miss St Clare's step is so light that I dare say I did not discover her for some time. And since my entrance she has not vouchsafed me a word.”

“I did not know you were there,” said Alixe, laughing, though she felt extremely uncomfortable. “Why did you not speak?”

“I did not like to disturb your meditations, particularly since I discovered the subject of them.” Alixe grew crimson. “Are you not aware, Miss St Clair, that you have uttered a soliloquy since you began your reveil?”

“Oh no!” said she, half terrified, half incredulous. But Everard was gravity itself.

“It is but too true, Miss St Clair. I am sorry for you, very sorry.”

“Now pray Everard, don't be so foolish,” interrupted Emily. “Alixe, if you will come to the light, I will finish your picture in a quarter of an hour.”

“Dear me, it seemed quite finished. But I will come.” She seated herself accordingly, and Everard stood to watch the proceedings.