It was not till they were summoned to dine together that she saw
Lady Ushant. Very many years had passed since last they were
together, and yet neither seemed to the other to be much changed.
Lady Ushant was still soft, retiring, and almost timid; whereas
Mrs. Morton showed her inclination to domineer even in the way in
which she helped herself to salt. While the servant was with them
very little was said on either side. There was a word or two from
Mrs. Morton to show that she considered herself the mistress
there,--and a word from the other lady proclaiming that she had no
pretensions of that kind. But after dinner in the little
drawing-room they were more communicative. Something of course was
said as to the health of the invalid. Lady Ushant was not the woman
to give a pronounced opinion on such a subject. She used doubtful,
hesitating words, and would in one minute almost contradict what
she had said in the former. But Mrs. Morton was clever enough to
perceive that Lady Ushant was almost without hope. Then she made a
little speech with a fixed purpose. "It must be a great trouble to
you, Lady Ushant, to be so long away from home."
"Not at all," said Lady Ushant in perfect innocence. "I have
nothing to bind me anywhere."
"I shall think it my duty to remain here now,--till the end."
"I suppose so.
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