Page:Small Souls (1919).djvu/402

394 “Oh, Auntie, I don’t think Aunt Adeline or Aunt Cateau or Aunt Adolphine would care to come!” said Marianne, not doubting Constance’ good faith for a moment.

“Oh, wouldn’t they?” said Constance, coolly. “Yes, I suppose Aunt Adeline is always so busy with the children. And Aunt Cateau. . . .”

She did not complete her sentence, for two men, knowing that she was Mrs. van Naghel’s sister, were asking to be introduced to her.

She did not want to stay long; and, in a minute or two, she rose and moved towards Bertha to say good-bye. Mrs. van Eilenburgh, however, was taking leave at the same instant; and Constance waited for a couple of seconds. And, in those two seconds, she noticed, very plainly, that Mrs. van Eilenburgh deliberately turned her back on her, as if to avoid her, saying good-bye to Bertha and giving Constance no opportunity of bowing. It was no more than a hardly perceptible movement and, in any other case, might have been a natural oversight; but, at this moment, Constance felt that it was done deliberately, with the intention of wounding. She gave an ironical smile, with a laugh in her eyes and tightened lips, and thought:

“She is De Staffelaer’s niece. I shall meet plenty more of his nephews and nieces. . . .”

She was now able to take leave of Bertha.

“Good-bye, Bertha.”

“Good-bye, Constance, so nice of you. . .”

Constance, for a moment, looked Bertha straight