If you thought I could be a suitable
companion for Miss Etynge, I--should be very happy."
How curiously Lady Etynge watched her as she spoke. She did not
look displeased, but there was something in her face which made
Robin afraid that she was, perhaps, after all, not the girl who
was fortunate enough to quite "do."
She felt her hopes raised a degree, however, when Lady Etynge
smiled at her.
"Do you know, I feel that is very pretty of you!" she said. "It
quite delights me--as I am an idolizing mother--that my mere talk
of Helene should have made you like her well enough to think you
might care to live with her. And I confess I am modern enough to
be pleased with your wishing to earn your own living."
"I must," said Robin. "I MUST! I could not bear not to earn it!"
She spoke a little suddenly, and a flag of new colour fluttered
in her cheek.
"When Helene comes, you must meet. If you like each other, as I
feel sure you will, and if Mrs. Gareth-Lawless does not object--if
it remains only a matter of being suitable--you are suitable, my
dear--you are suitable."
She touched Robin's hand with the light pat which was a caress,
and the child was radiant.
"Oh, you are kind to me!" The words broke from her involuntarily.
"And it is such GOOD fortune! Thank you, thank you, Lady Etynge."
The flush of her joy and relief had not died out before the
footman, who had opened the door, appeared on the threshold.
Pages:
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310