At last, when he had given up looking for her, he found her in his study
crouched in a corner.
She rose at sight of him and stood before him. "Harrington," said she, in
rather a commanding way, "Aunt Maitland is ill, and I wish to go to her."
Harrington stared at her with surprise. "You are not well enough
yourself."
"Quite well enough in body to go anywhere."
"Well, but--" said Harrington.
She caught him up impatiently. "Surely you cannot object to my visiting
Aunt Maitland. She is dangerously ill. I had a second letter this
morning--see." And she held him out a letter.
Harrington was in a difficulty. He felt sure this was not her real
motive; but he did not like to say so harshly to an unhappy girl. He took
a moderate course. "Not just now, dear," said he.
"What! am I to wait till she dies?" cried Zoe, getting agitated at his
opposition.
"Be reasonable, dear. You know you are the mistress of this house. Do not
desert me just now. Consider the position. It is a very chattering
county. I entertain Mademoiselle Klosking; I could not do otherwise when
she was nearly killed in my hall. But for my sister to go away while she
remains here would have a bad effect.
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