This was the solution in Pamelia's mind; but the thought went no further
than to her better half.
Adah's feelings at being called just as Lulu and Muggins were at home,
had been in a measure shared by Anna, who hesitated several minutes ere
touching the bell.
"If she is to be my maid, it will be better for us both not to act under
restraint," she thought, and so rang out the summons which brought Adah
to her room.
It was an awkward business, requiring a menial's service of that
ladylike creature, and Anna would have been exceedingly perplexed had
not Adah's good sense come to the rescue, prompting her to do things
unasked in such a way that Anna was at once relieved from embarrassment,
and felt that in Rose Markham she had found a treasure. She did not join
the family in the evening, but kept her room instead, talking with Adah
and caressing and playing with little Willie, who persisted in calling
her "Arntee," in spite of all Adah could say.
"Never mind," Anna answered, laughingly; "I rather like to hear him. No
one has ever called me by that name, and maybe never will, though my
brother is engaged to be married in the spring. I have a picture of his
betrothed there on my bureau. Would you like to see it?"
Adah nodded, and was soon gazing on the dark, haughty face she knew so
well, and which, even from the casing, seemed to smile disdainfully
upon, her, just as the original had often done.
"What do you think of her?" Anna asked.
Adah must say something, and she replied: "I dare say people think her pretty."
"Yes; but what do you think? I asked your opinion," persisted Anna; and
thus beset Adah replied at last: "I think her too showily dressed for a picture. She displays too much
jewelry."
Anna began to defend her future sister.
"There's rather too much of ornament, I'll admit, but she's a great
beauty, and attracts much attention. Why, one of her pictures hangs in
Brady's Gallery."
"At Brady's!" and Adah spoke quickly. "I should not suppose your brother
would like to have it there where so many can look at it."
Anna tried to shield the heartless 'Lina, never dreaming how much more
than herself Adah knew of 'Lina Worthington.
It seemed to Adah like a miserable deceit, sitting there and listening
while Anna talked of 'Lina, and she was glad when at last she showed
signs of weariness, and expressed a desire to retire for the night.
"Would you mind reading to me from the Bible?" Anna asked.
"Oh, no, I'd like it so much," and Adah read her favorite chapter.
And Anna listening to the sweet, silvery tones reading: "Let not your
heart be troubled," felt her own sorrow grow less.