Page:The Berkeleys and their neighbors.djvu/138

 Olivia received a kind of shock when she recognized her. Madame Koller's manner to her had been queer of late, but she spoke to her very cordially. Very likely she was wearied and ennuyéd at home—and had to come to Olivia in the desperation of loneliness.

Madame Koller, in response to Olivia's hospitable offer, allowed her to remove the long furred mantle, and place it on a chair. She looked at Olivia fixedly. Her eyes were large and very bright.

"You are surprised that I should come here at this time, Miss Berkeley?"

"I am very pleased, Madame Koller."

"You are surprised. However, is it not strange how in moments of great agitation, trifles will come to one's mind? It reminds me even now, how all the people in this county are amazed at simple—very simple things. There is nothing in my walking a mile or two to see you—I have a servant outside—but you, like the rest, regard it as very queer."

"As you please, Madame Koller," answered Olivia.

"Still more strange will you think it when I tell you my errand—for, although you are no fool, Olivia Berkeley, you have no heart."

"Did you take so much trouble in order to tell me this to-night?" answered Olivia pleasantly enough, but with that little shade of sarcasm in her voice that is infuriating to people in deadly earnest.

"Not entirely. But I am glad you have no