'She was,' replied Gillian.
'I'm sure,' said Miss Hacket, 'our only wish is to forget and forgive
as Christians. Lady Merrifield has behaved most handsomely, and it is
our most earnest wish that this unfortunate transaction should be
forgotten.'
'And I'm sure I'm willing to overlook it all,' said Constance. 'One
must have scrapes, you know; but friendship will triumph over all.'
Gillian did not exactly wish to unravel this fine sentiment, and was
glad that the little G.F.S. maid came in with the tea.
Lady Merrifield was a good deal diverted with Gillian's report, and
invited the two sisters to luncheon on the plea of their slight
acquaintance with Anne--otherwise Mrs. Daventry--with a hint in the
note not to compliment Mrs. Merrifield on Elizabeth's production.
Then Dolores had to be prepared to receive any advance from Constance.
She looked disgusted at first, and then, when she heard that Gillian
had spoken her mind, said, 'I can't think why you should care.'
'Of course I care, to have Constance behaving so ill to one of us.'
'Do you think me one of you, Gillian?'
'Who, what else are you?'
And Dolores held up her face for a kiss, a heartier one than had ever
passed between the cousins. There was no kiss between the quondam
friends, but they shook hands with perfect civility, and no stranger
would have guessed their former or their present terms from their
manner. In fact, Constance was perfectly absorbed in the contemplation
of the successful authoress, the object of her envy and veneration, and
only wanted to forget all the unpleasantness connected with the dark
head on the opposite side of the table.
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