The Forbidden Road — Effie Adelaide Rowlands

... CHAPTER XI Miss Geanigee did not go down to dinner that night. When bedtime came Baby was restless and seemed inclined to cough, and Katherine became immediately anxious. Mrs. Brenton came upstairs, however, and reassured the girl. She administered homely remedies, and prophesied that all would be well in the morning. Then she tried to persuade the young governess to go down to dinner, but she failed. "If you won't mind, I would so much rather stay here," the girl said; " Baby likes to hold my hand, dear little soul, and I should not be a bit happy if I went downstairs and left her." "Well, do as you like, my dear," Mrs. Brenton said; then she added, " I am so glad you had a lift home this afternoon. Now my party is all complete except for Camilla. I am very vexed with her." Katherine looked at her quickly. "Why?" "Well, she ought to have come down this evening as she promised," Agnes Brenton answered, impatiently; "she arranged to meet Rupert at a certain time, kept him waiting about for an hour and a half at the station, and then, when he supposed she had come on here by some mistake, he follows her, only to find a telegram saying she has gone to Lea Abbey and will not be here till to-morrow in time for luncheon. I cannot think what has induced her to go to the Bardolphs," Mrs. Brenton added, irritably. "She says it is because Lady Pamela is ill, and sent for her; but to my certain knowledge Camilla and Pamela Bardolph have not been seeing one another for months past." Katherine followed Mrs. Brenton out on to the landing. She felt subdued, even saddened, as she listened. "Of course I am disappointed, but I am not thinking entirely about myself. I am sure Rupert is far more upset and annoyed than his manner shows. Ah, well; by this time I suppose I ought...