In blind
reliance--born of her hatred for Magdalen and her hunger for revenge--in
blind reliance on her own abilities and on her friend's law, she trusted
the future implicitly to the promise of the morning's work.
As she locked her traveling-bag Noel Vanstone rang the bell. On this
occasion, the summons was answered by Louisa.
"Get the spare room ready," said her master; "this lady will sleep
here to-night. And air my warm things; this lady and I are going away
to-morrow morning."
The civil and submissive Louisa received her orders in sullen
silence--darted an angry look at her master's impenetrable guest--and
left the room. The servants were evidently all attached to their
mistress's interests, and were all of one opinion on the subject of Mrs.
Lecount.
"That's done!" said Noel Vanstone, with a sigh of infinite relief.
"Come and sit down, Lecount. Let's be comfortable--let's gossip over the
fire."
Mrs. Lecount accepted the invitation and drew an easy-chair to his side.
He took her hand with a confidential tenderness, and held it in his
while the talk went on. A stranger, looking in through the window, would
have taken them for mother and son, and would have thought to himself:
"What a happy home!"
The gossip, led by Noel Vanstone, consisted as usual of an endless
string of questions, and was devoted entirely to the subject of himself
and his future prospects.
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