One can see how she missed her as a child--how she misses her still." "Well, I don't know what call she has to miss her!" cried Fanny Merton, in a note of angry scorn.

"A precious good thing she died when she did--for everybody." Mrs.Colwood felt her hands trembling.

In the growing darkness of the winter afternoon it seemed to her startled imagination as though this black-eyed black-browed girl, with her scowling passionate face, were entering into possession of the house and of Diana--an evil and invading power.

She tried to choose her words carefully.
"Miss Mallory has never talked to me of her parents.

And, if you will excuse me, Miss Merton--if there is anything sad--or tragic--in their history, I would rather hear it from Miss Mallory than from you!" "Anything sad ?--anything _sad_?
Well, upon my word!--" The girl breathed fast.