Chapter 13 - Page 2

host and
hostess, and discussed her mother's health feelingly with them.
After breakfast she went to the library, and wrote her reply:

"BRANDON BEECHES, "Tuesday.

"Dear Papa: Considering that it is more than three years since
you paid Madame Smith last, and that then her bill, which
included my court dress, was only L150, I cannot see how I could
possibly have been more economical, unless you expect me to go in
rags. I am sorry that Madame Smith has asked for the money at
such an inconvenient time, but when I begged you to pay her
something in March last year you told me to keep her quiet by
giving her a good order. I am not surprised at her not being very
civil, as she has plenty of tradesmen's daughters among her
customers who pay her more than L300 a year for their dresses. I
am wearing a skirt at present which I got two years ago.

"Sir Charles is going to town on Thursday; he will bring you the
hemlock. Tell mamma that there is an old woman here who knows
some wonderful cure for sore eyes. She will not tell what the
ingredients are, but it cures everyone, and there is no use in
giving an oculist two guineas for telling us that reading in bed
is bad for the eyes, when we know perfectly well that mamma will
not give up doing it. If you pay Berkeley's debts, do not forget
that he owes me L3.

"Another schoolfellow of mine is staying here now, and I think
that Mr. Trefusis will have the pleasure of paying her bills some
day. He is a great pet of Lady Brandon's. Sir Charles was angry
at first because she invited him here, and we were al1 surprised
at it. The man has a bad reputation, and headed a mob that threw
down the walls of the park; and we hardly thought he would be
cool enough to come after that. But he does not seem to care
whether we want him or not; and he comes when he likes. As he
talks cleverly, we find him a godsend in this dull place. It is
really not such a paradise as you seem to think, but you need not
be afraid of my returning any sooner than I can help.

"Your affectionate daughter, "Gertrude Lindsay.

When Gertrude had closed this letter, and torn up her father's,
she thought little more about either. They might have made her
unhappy had they found her happy, but as hopeless discontent was
her normal state, and enjoyment but a rare accident,
recriminatory passages with her father only put her into a bad
humor, and did not in the least disappoint or humiliate her.

For the sake of exercise, she resolved to carry her letter to the
village post office and return along the Riverside Road, whereby
she had seen hemlock growing. She took care to go out unobserved,
lest Agatha should volunteer to walk with her, or Jane declare
her intention