‘If you can spare me a moment, ma’am, I should like to speak to you,’ she said, quite civilly; but I thought her manner a little menacing.

‘Will not another time do, Leah?’ returned her mistress in a worried tone; but the next moment she begged me to go in without her.

Lady Betty was sitting by the open window with Nap beside her.  I thought the poor little girl looked dull and lonely.  She gave an exclamation of pleasure at seeing me, and ran towards me with outstretched hands.  She looked like a child in her little white gown and blue ribbons, with her short curly hair.

’I am so glad to see you, Miss Garston!  I thought Etta would keep you, I have been alone all the afternoon:  Etta never sits with me now.  How I wish Gladys would come back!  I have no one to speak to, and I miss her horribly.’

‘Poor Lady Betty!’

’You would say so, if you knew how horrid it all was.  Just now, as I was sitting alone, I felt like a poor little princess shut up in an enchanted tower.  Giles is the magician, and Etta is the wicked witch.  I was making up quite a story about it.’

‘Why have you not been to see me lately, Lady Betty?’

‘Oh, how silly you are to ask me such a question!’ she returned pettishly.  ’You had better ask Witch Etta.  Now you pretend to look surprised.  She won’t let me come—­there!’

‘My dear child, surely you need not consult your cousin.’

‘Of course not,’ wrinkling her forehead; ’but then, you see, Witch Etta consults me:  she makes a point of finding out all my little plans and nipping them in the bud.  She says she really cannot allow me to go so often to the White Cottage; Mr. Cunliffe and Mr. Tudor are always there, and it is not proper.  She is always hinting that I want to meet Mr. Tudor, and it is no good telling her that I never think of such a thing.’  Lady Betty was half crying.  A more innocent, harmless little soul never breathed; she had not a spice of coquetry in her nature.  I felt indignant at such an accusation.

‘It is all nonsense, Lady Betty,’ I returned sharply.  ’Mr. Tudor has not called at the cottage more than once since Jill left me, and then Uncle Max sent him.  When I first came to Heathfield he was very kind in doing me little services, and he dropped in two or three times when Jill was with me; but indeed he has never been a constant visitor.  When we meet it is at the vicarage or in the street.’

‘You would never convince Etta of that,’ replied Lady Betty disconsolately.  ’She has even told Giles how often Mr. Tudor goes to the cottage, and she has got it into her head that I am always trying to meet him there.  It is such an odious idea, only worthy of Etta herself!’ went on the little girl indignantly.  ’If I could only make her hold her tongue to Giles!’

’I would not trouble about it if I were you, dear.  No one who knows you would believe it.  Such an idea would never occur to Mr. Tudor; he is an honest, simple young fellow, who is not ashamed to respect women in the good old-fashioned way.’