Her father"s housekeeper, it would seem, did not impress her very favourably, or she was too proud to be cordial with dependants.
Up in her own room, Grace turned her lamp low, and sitting down by the window, drew back the curtains. The rain still fell, the November wind surged through the trees, and the blackness was impenetrable. Was this wintry tempest, as her brother had said, ominous of coming trouble and storms in their peaceful Canadian home?
"I wonder how she and Rose will get on," thought Grace. "Rose"s temper is as gusty as this November night, and I should judge those purple eyes can flash with the Danton fire, too. When two thunder-clouds meet, there is apt to be an uproar. I shall not be surprised if there is war in the camp before long."
Her door opened softly. Grace turned round, and saw Eeny in a long night-dress, looking like a spirit.
"May I come in, Grace?"
"It is time you were in bed," said Grace, turning up the lamp, and beginning to unbraid her hair.
Eeny came in and sat down on a low stool at Grace"s feet.
"Oh, Grace, isn"t she splendid?"
"Who?"
"You know whom I mean--Kate."
"She is very handsome," Grace said quietly, going on with her work.
"Handsome! She is lovely? She is glorious! Grace, people talk about Rose being pretty; but she is no more to Kate than--than just nothing at all."
"Did you come in merely to say that? If so, Miss Eveleen, I must request you to depart, as I am going to say my prayers."
"Directly," said Eeny, nestling more comfortably on her stool. "Did you ever hear any one play and sing as she does?"
"She plays and sings remarkably well."
"Grace, what would you give to be as beautiful as she is?"
"Nothing! And now go."
"Yes. Isn"t it odd that papa did not bring Mr. Richards into the drawing-room. Ogden and papa helped him up stairs, and Ogden brought him his supper."
"Who told you that?"
"Babette. Babette saw him, but he was so m.u.f.fled up she could not make him out. He is very tall and slim, she says, and looks like a young man."
"Eeny, how soon are you going?"
"Oh, Grace," she said, coaxingly, "let me stay all night with you."
"And keep me awake until morning, talking? Not I," said Grace. "Go!"
"Please let me stay?"
"No! Be off!"
She lifted her up, led her to the door, and put her out, and Eeny ran off to her own chamber.
As Grace closed her door, she heard Kate Danton"s silk dress rustle upstairs.
"Good-night, papa," she heard her say in that soft, clear voice that made her think of silver bells.
"Good-night, my dear," the Captain replied. And then the silk dress rustled past, a door opened and shut, and Miss Danton had retired.
CHAPTER III.
A CHANGE OF DYNASTY.
With the cold November sunlight flooding her room, Grace rose next morning, dressed and went down stairs. Very neat and lady-like she looked, in her spotted gingham wrapper, her snowy collar and cuffs, and her dark hair freshly braided.
A loud-voiced clock in the entrance-hall struck seven. No one seemed to be astir in the house but herself, and her footsteps echoed weirdly in the dark pa.s.sages. A sleepy scullery maid was lighting the kitchen fire when she got there, gaping dismally over her work; and Grace, leaving some directions for Ma"am Ledru, the cook, departed again, this time for the dining-room, where footman James was lighting another fire. Grace opened the shutters, drew back the curtains, and let in the morning sunburst in all its glory. Then she dusted and re-arranged the furniture, swept up the marble hearth, and a.s.sisted Babette to lay the cloth for breakfast. It was invariably her morning work; and the table looked like a picture when she had done, with its old china and sparkling silver.
It was almost eight before she got through; and she ran upstairs for her bonnet and shawl, and started for her customary half-hour"s walk before breakfast. She took the road leading to the village, still and deserted, and came back all glowing from the rapid exercise.
Captain Danton stood on the front steps smoking a meerschaum pipe, as she came up the avenue.
"Good morning, Hebe!" said the Captain. "The November roses are brighter in Canada than elsewhere in August!"
Grace laughed, and was going in, but he stopped her.
"Don"t go yet. I want some one to talk to. Where have you been?"
"Only out for a walk, sir."
"So early! What time do you get up, pray?"
"About half-past six."
"Primitive hours, upon my word. When is breakfast time?"
"Nine, sir. The bell will ring in a moment."
It rang as she spoke, and Grace tripped away to take off her bonnet and smooth her hair, blown about by the morning wind. The Captain was in the dining-room when she descended, standing in his favourite position with his back to the fire, his coat-tails drawn forward, and his legs like two sides of a triangle.
"Are the girls up yet, Grace? Excuse the prefix; we are relatives, you know. Ah! here is one of them. Good-morning, Mademoiselle."
"Good-morning, papa," said Eeny, kissing him. "Where is Kate?"
"Kate is here!" said the voice that was like silver bells; and Kate came in, graceful and elegant in her white cashmere morning robe, with cord and ta.s.sels of violet, and a knot of violet ribbon at the rounded throat. "I have not kept you waiting, have I?"
She kissed her father and sister, smiled and bowed to Grace and took her place to preside. Very prettily and deftly the white hands fluttered among the fragile china cups and saucers, and wielded the carved and ma.s.sive silver coffee-pot.