They soon went to look at the flowers; and there was old Swan ready to exhibit and set off their good points.

“And so you had another prize, Nicholas.  I congratulate you,” remarked Emily.

“Well, yes, ma’am, I had another.  I almost felt, if I failed, it would serve me right for trying too often.  I said it was not my turn.  ‘Turn,’ said the umpire; ‘it’s merit we go by, not turn, Mr. Swan,’ said he.”

“And poor Raby took a prize again, I hear,” said Emily.  “That man seems to be getting on, Swan.”

“He does, ma’am; he’s more weak than wicked, that man is.  You can’t make him hold up his head; and he’s allers contradicting himself.  He promised his vote last election to both sides.  ‘Why,’ said I, ’what’s the good of that, William?  Folks’ll no more pay you for your words when you’ve eaten them than they will for your bacon.’  But that man really couldn’t make up his mind which side should bribe him.  Still, William Raby is getting on, I’m pleased to say.”

Justina had soon seen the flowers enough, and Emily could not make up her mind to inspect anything else.  She therefore returned towards the library, and Barbara walked silently beside her.

As she stepped in at the open window, a sound of sobbing startled her.  An oil painting, a portrait of John in his boyhood, hung against the wall.  Gladys stood with her face leaning against one of the hands that hung down.  Emily heard her words distinctly:  “Oh, papa!  Oh, papa!  Oh, my father beloved!” but the instant she caught the sound of footsteps, she darted off like a frightened bird, and fled away without even looking found.

Then the twin sister turned slowly, and looked at Emily with entreating eyes, saying—­“Is it true, Mrs. Walker?  Dear Mrs. Walker, is it really true?”

Emily felt cold at heart.  How could she tell?  John’s words went for nothing; Miss Christie might have mistaken them.  She did not pretend to misunderstand, but said she did not know; she had no reason to think it was true.

“But everybody says so,” sighed Barbara.

“If your father has said nothing—­” Emily began.

“No,” she answered; her father had said nothing at all; but the mere mention of his name seemed to overcome her.

Emily sat down, talked to her, and tried to soothe her; but she had no distinct denial to give, and in five minutes Barbara, kneeling before her, was sobbing on her bosom, and bemoaning herself as if she would break her heart.

Truly the case of a step-mother is hard.

Emily leaned her cheek upon the young upturned forehead.  She faltered a little as she spoke.  If her father chose to marry again, had he not a right?  If she loved him, surely she wanted him to be—­happy.

“But she is a nasty, nasty thing,” sobbed Barbara, with vehement heavings of the chest and broken words, “and—­and—­I am sure I hate her, and so does Gladys, and so does Johnnie too.”  Then her voice softened again—­“Oh, father, father!  I would take such care of the little ones if you wouldn’t do it! and we would never, never quarrel with the governesses, or make game of them any more.”