n, of the large, airy, pretty dining-room; the blue mountains
seen through the windows at one side; from the others, the green of the
trees and the gay colours of flowers; the evening air drew gently
through the room, and flowers and fruit and all sorts of delicacies and
all sorts of elegances on the table made Matilda feel she was in
fairyland.

"When are you coming again?" said Mrs. Laval, taking her in her arms
when she was about going.

"Whenever you will let me, ma'am."

"Could you learn to love me a little bit, some day?"

Matilda did not know how to answer. She looked into the handsome dark
eyes that were watching her, and with the thought of the secret
sympathy between the lady and herself, her own watered.

"I see you will," said Mrs. Laval, kissing her. "Now kiss me."

She sat quite still while Matilda did so; then returned it warmly, and
bade Norton take care of her home.

CHAPTER V.

Matilda found her aunt, cousin, and sister gathered in the parlour.

"Well!" said Maria. "I suppose you have had a time."

"A good time?" Mrs. Candy asked. Matilda replied "Yes."

"You stayed late," observed Clarissa. This did not seem to need an
answer.

"What have you been doing?" Maria asked.

"Playing."

"You sigh over it, as if there were some melancholy associations
connected with the fact," said Clarissa.

So there were, taken with the contrast at home. Matilda could not
explain that.

"Any company there?" inquired Mrs. Candy.

"No, ma'am."

"You are wonderfully taciturn," said Clarissa. "Do tell us what you
have been about, and whether you have enjoyed yourself."

"I enjoyed myself," said Matilda, repressing another sigh.

"Did you bring any message for me?" asked her aunt.

"No, Aunt Candy."

"Did you deliver mine to Mrs. Laval?"

"What, ma'am?"

"My message. Did you deliver it?"

"No, aunt Candy."

"Did you forget it, Matilda?"

"I did not forget it."

Both mother and daughter lifted up their heads at this.

"Why did you not give the message, then?"

Matilda was in sore difficulty. There was nothing she could think of to
say. So she said nothing.

"Speak, child!" said her aunt. "Why did you not give my message as I
charged you?"

"I did not like to do it, Aunt Candy."

"You did not like to do it! Please to say why you did not like to do
it."

It was so impossible to answer, that Matilda took refuge in silence
again.

"It would have been civil in Mrs. Laval to ha