Ida was too amazed for a moment to realise the full significance of the

spiteful speech; and then, as it gradually dawned upon her, the blood

rose to her face and an indignant protest rose to her lips; but she

checked it, and merely repeated the objectionable phrase.

"Yes, disgraceful," said Mrs. Heron. "I am sorry to be compelled to use

such a word to a young girl and to one in your position; and I do not

think you make matters better by pretending not to know what I mean."

"It is no pretence, Mrs. Heron," said Ida, quite calmly. "I do not in

the least know what you mean."

"Then I'll tell you," retorted Mrs. Heron, with suppressed fury. "You

are one of the most shameless flirts I ever knew."

Ida fell an almost irresistible desire to laugh; she had been tired

when she came in, Mr. George Powler's attentions had made her still

more weary, and the sight of the two women seated bolt upright and

evidently boiling over with anger, was full of a grotesque humour which

affected her hysterically. She managed to stifle the laugh, and looked

at them patiently and calmly as she stood by the mantel-piece with one

arm resting on the shelf. The unconscious ease and grace of her

attitude increased Mrs. Heron's irritation; her thin lips trembled and

her eyes grew red.

"Oh, I am not blind," she said. "I've been quite aware of your conduct

for some time past; but I have refrained from speaking to you because,

as I say, you are under my roof and I did not wish to hurt your

feelings--though I am sure you have had very little regard for ours. I

have been greatly deceived in you, Ida. I thought when you came that

you were a quiet, well-conducted young woman, and I could scarcely

believe my eyes when I first saw that I was mistaken, and that your

quietness was only slyness. I suppose you didn't think I saw that you

were trying to entrap my poor boy; but a mother's eyes are sharp, and a

mother will protect her own at any cost. Oh, you needn't try to stare

me out of countenance, or to put on that surprised and innocent look.

You may have been able to deceive me once, but you can't now. I've been

watching you, and I've seen with my own eyes your carryings on."

"Mrs. Heron--" began Ida, very quietly; but Mrs. Heron tore on with

breathless vehemence.




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