Paula was in her boudoir, writing down some notes previous to beginning her wedding toilet, which was designed to harmonize with the simplicity that characterized the other arrangements. She owned that it was depriving the neighbourhood of a pageant which it had a right to expect of her; but the circumstance was inexorable.
Mrs. Goodman entered Paula's room immediately behind Charlotte. Perhaps the only difference between the Paula of to-day and the Paula of last year was an accession of thoughtfulness, natural to the circumstances in any case, and more particularly when, as now, the bride's isolation made self-dependence a necessity. She was sitting in a light dressing-gown, and her face, which was rather pale, flushed at the entrance of Charlotte and her aunt.
'I knew you were come,' she said, when Charlotte stooped and kissed her. 'I heard you. I have done nothing this morning, and feel dreadfully unsettled. Is all well?'
The question was put without thought, but its aptness seemed almost to imply an intuitive knowledge of their previous conversation. 'Yes,' said Charlotte tardily.
'Well, now, Clementine shall dress you, and I can do with Milly,' continued Paula. 'Come along. Well, aunt--what's the matter?--and you, Charlotte? You look harassed.'
'I have not slept well,' said Charlotte.
'And have not you slept well either, aunt? You said nothing about it at breakfast.'
'O, it is nothing,' said Mrs. Goodman quickly. 'I have been disturbed by learning of somebody's villainy. I am going to tell you all some time to-day, but it is not important enough to disturb you with now.'
'No mystery!' argued Paula. 'Come! it is not fair.'
'I don't think it is quite fair,' said Miss De Stancy, looking from one to the other in some distress. 'Mrs. Goodman--I must tell her! Paula, Mr. Som--'
'He's dead!' cried Paula, sinking into a chair and turning as pale as marble. 'Is he dead?--tell me!' she whispered.
'No, no--he's not dead--he is very well, and gone to Normandy for a holiday!'
'O--I am glad to hear it,' answered Paula, with a sudden cool mannerliness.
'He has been misrepresented,' said Mrs. Goodman. 'That's all.'
'Well?' said Paula, with her eyes bent on the floor.
'I have been feeling that I ought to tell you clearly, dear Paula,' declared her friend. 'It is absolutely false about his telegraphing to you for money--it is absolutely false that his character is such as that dreadful picture represented it. There--that's the substance of it, and I can tell you particulars at any time.'