""I am very glad you are well again," he said; "my mother has missed you."
"The girl made a quick, angry gesture, and I saw--yes, I could swear that it was not fancy--I saw James Harrington make a little sign with his hand, as if to caution her.
"She checked herself at once, and with a few broken words about her love of her mistress, she turned away and went hastily out of the room.
""Poor Zillah," said Mrs. Harrington, "she could not bear it any longer; she has gone away to have a good cry all by herself. She is the most sensitive, affectionate creature I ever saw in my life. I must go after her or she will be getting into one of her desperate fits, thinking n.o.body is pleased to have her back."
""Better leave her to herself," the General said, carelessly; "I think the girl is a good deal spoiled already--better not add to it."
"James darted a perfectly furious glance at him as he spoke, then turned and looked out of the window again.
""Perhaps you are right, dear," Mrs. Harrington said; "I do spoil the child, but she is so pretty, I really cannot help it."
""A reason that answers with women," said the General, smiling, "and young men," he added to himself, but I caught the words, low as they were spoken.
"I suppose my face betrayed that I had heard him, for he gave me a little deprecatory bow and smile, half playful, half apologetic.
"James moved suddenly from the window and was leaving the room.
""Are you going out, dear?" his mother asked.
""Not yet," he answered, "Have you any commands, _madre mia_?"
""None, I believe," she replied with her happiest smile. "Perhaps Mabel has, though."
""Miss Crawford has only to express them," he replied, half turning toward me, his voice changing so quickly, growing so cold and indifferent, that I wondered even his mother, un.o.bservant as she was, did not notice it.
""You are too kind," I answered, and if his tone was cold, mine certainly, was haughty enough. "I have none with which I need trouble you."
"The General, whom nothing escaped, looked curiously from one to the other, but did not speak.
""You will not be gone long, James?" Mrs. Harrington asked, with the unconscious spirit of exaction which is apt to grow upon those who have been ill and suffered a good deal.
""Not long enough for you to miss me, dear," he replied, and his voice was kind and gentle as ever.
"I must do him that justice at least--his manner to his mother never varied. Whatever the secret was that disturbed him, however much preoccupied he might be--and sometimes he looked worn and troubled, as a man might who was struggling with evil spirits--he had always cheerful words and smiles at his command for her.
"He went up to her now, kissed her and said something in a low voice--some pleasant, affectionate words, I knew by the light that came over her face.
""Good morning, James," said the General kindly.
""Good morning, General Harrington," returned he in a hard, steely voice, bowed to me, and quitted the room abruptly.
"The General shrugged his shoulders, looked somewhat impatient, and a little amused.
"I had withdrawn to the window, and the General, walking up and down the room, pa.s.sed me, and stopped a moment.
""I gave up being astonished a good many years ago," said he, "but I confess the conduct of that eccentric young gentleman almost surprises me."
"I am afraid my smile expressed something like contempt.
""Wasn"t it Rochefoucault who said, a woman is happiest when most deceived?" he asked, with a glance towards his wife. "Either he or some other misanthropic old Frenchman; but whoever it was, master James has evidently read and remembered the maxim."
""What conspiracy are you and Mabel hatching?" laughed Mrs. Harrington from her chair.
""Just at this instant," returned the General, "I am telling Miss Mabel that she looks a little pale and out of spirits."
""She has been kept in the house too much since you went away," his wife said. "Mabel, dear, James must take you and Miss Eaton to drive."
""I dare say he has engagements," I answered carelessly. "The courier can go with us perfectly well, and with him we can take the liberty of changing our minds as often as we please, about what we shall do."
""And that, I suppose, is a great happiness to young ladies," said the General, playfully.
""At all events, it is the charge made against us from time immemorial,"
I replied, trying to speak in the same tone.
""I am sure Mabel is not given to changing her mind," said Mrs.
Harrington.
""No," said the General, "there are many subjects upon which her opinion, once formed, she would never change, I fancy," and he smiled with a significance which I thoroughly understood.
"I murmured some unintelligible excuse, and left the room. I heard Mrs.
Harrington say--
""See Miss Eaton, dear, and settle about going to ride." But I did not promise to do so."
CHAPTER LIII.
ZILLAH IS ANXIOUS ABOUT THE HEALTH OF HER MISTRESS.
"As I pa.s.sed the _salon_, the door was open, and I saw the girl, Zillah, standing before James, talking eagerly, and evidently in a fierce state of excitement. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes blazing--she raised her hands with a quick, Southern gesture of entreaty. I thought she was about to lay them on his arm.
"That moment he caught sight of me, and made a little sign--she checked herself at once. He looked disconcerted, but the girl"s a.s.surance was not so easily shaken. She followed me at once, and as she overtook me, said--
""Oh, Miss Crawford, I am so near crazy with joy at finding myself with the mistress and all of you, again, that I don"t know what I do or say.
I was just telling Mr. James how happy it made me to see my dear mistress looking so much better. She is better, Miss Mabel, you are certain sure of that."
"Her look was eager; her eyes searched mine with keen scrutiny.
""She is greatly improved," I replied, coldly.
""I was very sick, too, Miss Mabel," she went on; "at one time I thought I should die, and never see her again, or the master; master James, I mean, or any one. Oh, it seemed as if heaven was cruel to me, as if everything I saw was cruel."
""That is absolutely wicked, Zillah," I answered, almost harshly.