They all
scraped together a decorum, and as soon as the things had been put on
table the Colonel banished the men with a glance. Then he made a
little affectionate speech to Beatrice and Muriel, in which he
described Mrs. Churchley as the kindest, the most delightful of
women, only wanting to make them happy, only wanting to make HIM
happy, and convinced that he would be if they were and that they
would be if he was.
"What do such words mean?" Adela asked herself. She declared
privately that they meant nothing, but she was silent, and every one
was silent, on account of the advent of Miss Flynn the governess,
before whom Colonel Chart preferred not to discuss the situation.
Adela recognised on the spot that if things were to go as he wished
his children would practically never again be alone with him. He
would spend all his time with Mrs. Churchley till they were married,
and then Mrs. Churchley would spend all her time with him. Adela was
ashamed of him, and that was horrible--all the more that every one
else would be, all his other friends, every one who had known her
mother. But the public dishonour to that high memory shouldn't be
enacted; he shouldn't do as he wished.
After breakfast her father remarked to her that it would give him
pleasure if in a day or two she would take her sisters to see their
friend, and she replied that he should be obeyed. He held her hand a
moment, looking at her with an argument in his eyes which presently
hardened into sternness.
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