‘Why, do you think I live here, Lady Betty!’ I returned, smiling.  ’Do you know I am becoming a most punctual person?  I am always back at the White Cottage by five, and sometimes a little earlier, and I shall always be pleased if you will come in and have tea with me.’

‘I should like it of all things,’ replied Lady Betty, with a sigh; ’and I will come sometimes, you will see if I don’t.  But I know Etta will make a fuss; she always does if I stay out after dark; and it is dark at four now.  That is why I pop in here to see you, because Etta is always busy in the mornings and never takes any notice of what we do.’

‘But surely Miss Darrell will not object to your coming to see me?’ I asked, somewhat piqued at this.

‘Oh dear, no,’ returned Lady Betty, jumbling her words as though she found my question embarrassing.  ’Etta never objects openly to anything we do, only she throws stumbling-blocks in our way.  I do not know why I have got it into my head that she would not like Gladys or me to come here without her, but it is there all the same,—­the idea, I mean; it was something she said the other night to Mrs. Maberley that gave me this impression.  Mrs. Maberley wanted to call on you, because she said you were Mr. Cunliffe’s niece, and people ought to take notice of you.  And Etta said, “Oh dear, yes; and it was a very kind thought on Mrs. Maberley’s part, and Mr. Cunliffe would think it so.  That was why Giles had invited you to Gladwyn.  But there was no hurry, and you evidently were not prepared to enter into society.  You had rather strong-minded views on this subject, and she was not quite sure whether Giles was wise to encourage the intimacy with his sisters."’

‘Miss Darrell said this to Mrs. Maberley?’

’Yes.  Was it not horrid of Etta?  I felt so cross.  And Mrs. Maberley is such an old dear:  only rather old-fashioned in her notions about girls.  So Etta’s speech rather frightened her, I could see.  Of course she has not called yet?  I am almost inclined to tell Giles about it.’

’Indeed, I hope you will do nothing of the kind, Lady Betty.  I am sorry Miss Darrell does not like me; but I do not see that it matters so very much what people think of us.’

’Yes; but when Etta takes a dislike to people she tries to prevent us from knowing them:  that is the provoking part of it.  She is so dreadfully jealous, and I expect it was your singing that gave umbrage.  Etta is not at all accomplished; she never cared much for Gladys to sing, because she had such a sweet voice, and it put her in the background.  Ah!  I know how mean it sounds, but it is just the truth about Etta.  And if I were to drop in for five-o’clock tea, as you say, Leah would be sure to make her appearance and say I was wanted at Gladwyn.’

I found Lady Betty’s confidential speeches rather embarrassing, and when I knew her a little better I took her to task rather seriously for her want of reticence.  But she only pouted, and said, ’When one looks at you, Miss Garston, one cannot help telling you things:  they all tumble out without one’s will.  That is what Gladys means when she says you have a sympathetic face.  I wish you would get her to talk to you.’