CHAPTER XXIV.

THE UNEXPECTED.

It did not occur to Gladys to give her guest quarters at the lodge beside Mrs. Macintyre, where, it might have been thought, she would be more at home.  Having invited her to Bourhill, she treated her in all respects like any other guest.  Teen, after the first fit of shyness wore off, accepted it all as a matter of course, and conducted herself in a calm and undisturbed manner, which secretly astonished Gladys.  All the while, however, her new surroundings and experiences made a profound impression on the awakened mind of the city girl.  Nothing escaped the keen vision of her great dark eyes.  Every detail of the beautiful old house was photographed on her memory; she could have told how many chairs were in the drawing-room, and described every picture on the dining-room walls.  Between her and little Miss Peck—­the brisk, happy-hearted spinster, who appeared to have taken a new lease of life—­there was speedily established a very good understanding, which was also a source of amazement to Gladys.  She had anticipated exactly the reverse.

‘My dear, she is most interesting,’ said Miss Peck, when the first evening was over, and Teen had gone to bed, not to sleep, but to lie enjoying the luxury of a down-bed and dainty linen, and pondering on this wonderful thing that had happened to her,—­’most interesting.  What depths in her eyes—­what self-possession in her demeanour!  My dear, you can make anything of that girl.’

Miss Peck was given to romancing and enthusiasm, but the contrast between her opinion and that expressed by Mrs. Fordyce made Gladys smile.  She did not feel herself as yet very particularly drawn towards her guest, whose reserve of manner was sometimes as trying as her outspokenness on other occasions.

’I am glad you like her, Miss Peck.  I confess that sometimes I do not know what to make of her.  But, you see, she is the only one who can be of any use to me; she knows all about working girls and their ways.  If only I could find poor Lizzie Hepburn!  She always knew exactly what she meant, and she was clever enough for anything,’ said Gladys, with a sigh.

’But tell me, my dear, what is it you wish to do?  I don’t know that I quite comprehend.’

’Indeed, I am not quite clear about it yet myself, though, of course, I have an idea I want to help them, especially the friendless ones.  If it could be arranged, I should like to establish a kind of friendly Club for them in Glasgow, where they could all meet, and where those who have no friends could lodge; then I should like to have a little holiday house for them here, if possible.’

‘My dear, that is a great undertaking for one so young.’

’Do you think so?  I must try it, and you must help me, dear Miss Peck, for Mrs. Fordyce won’t.  She doesn’t approve at all of my having invited Christina Balfour down here.’