"It is a study," said the Colonel, as Rose moved off with a doll in
either hand; "a moral that you should take home."
Ermine shook her head, but smiled, saying, "Tell me, does your young
cousin know--"
"Alick Keith! Not from me, and Lady Temple is perfectly to be trusted;
but I believe his father knew it was for no worse reason that I was made
to exchange. But never mind, Ermine, he is a very good fellow, and what
is the use of making a secret of what even Violetta knows?"
There was no debating the point, for her desire of secrecy was prompted
by the resolution to leave him unbound, whereas his wish for publicity
was with the purpose of binding himself, and Ermine was determined that
discussion was above all to be avoided, and that she would, after the
first explanation, keep the conversation upon other subjects. So she
only answered with another reproving look and smile, and said, "And
now I am going to make you useful. The editor of the 'Traveller' is
travelling, and has left his work to me. I have been keeping some
letters for him to answer in his own hand, because mine betrays
womanhood; but I have just heard that he is to stay about six weeks
more, and people must be put out of their misery before that. Will you
copy a few for me? Here is some paper with the office stamp."
"What an important woman you are, Ermine."
"If you had been in England all this time, you would see how easy
the step is into literary work; but you must not betray this for the
'Traveller's' sake or Ailie's."
"Your writing is not very womanish," said the colonel, as she gave him
his task. "Or is this yours? It is not like that of those verses on
Malvern hills that you copied out for me, the only thing you ever gave
me."
"I hope it is more to the purpose than it was then, and it has had to
learn to write in all sorts of attitudes."
"What's this?" as he went on with the paper; "your manuscript entitled
'Curatocult.' Is that the word? I had taken it for the produce of Miss
Curtis's unassisted genius."
"Have you heard her use it!" said Ermine, disconcerted, having by no
means intended to betray Rachel.
"Oh yes! I heard her declaiming on Sunday about what she knows no more
about than Conrade! A detestable, pragmatical, domineering girl! I am
thankful that I advised Lady Temple only to take the house for a
year. It was right she should see her relations, but she must not be
tyrannized over."
"I don't believe she dislikes it."
"She dislikes no one! She used to profess a liking for a huge
Irishwoman, whose husband had risen from the ranks; the most tremendous
woman I ever saw, except Miss Curtis."