Having accidentally, in the course of the operations, knocked it
off on the floor she let it lie there after a downward glance. Thus it,
or the frame at least, became, I suppose, part of the assets in the de
Barral bankruptcy.
At dinner that evening the child found her company dull and brusque. It
was uncommonly slow. She could get nothing from her governess but
monosyllables, and the jolly Charley actually snubbed the various cheery
openings of his "little chum"--as he used to call her at times,--but not
at that time. No doubt the couple were nervous and preoccupied. For all
this we have evidence, and for the fact that Flora being offended with
the delightful nephew of her profoundly respected governess sulked
through the rest of the evening and was glad to retire early. Mrs.,
Mrs.--I've really forgotten her name--the governess, invited her nephew
to her sitting-room, mentioning aloud that it was to talk over some
family matters. This was meant for Flora to hear, and she heard
it--without the slightest interest. In fact there was nothing
sufficiently unusual in such an invitation to arouse in her mind even a
passing wonder.
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