Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/84

70 "For your revenge?" She sounded a bitter laugh. "I should think it might! What it does is magnificent!"

He stood looking over her head till at last he exclaimed: "So, apparently, is the child!"

"She has come?" Rose sprang up to find that Effie had been borne toward them, across the grass, in the arms of the muscular Manning, who, having stooped to set her down and given her a vigorous impulsion from behind, recovered the military stature and posture.

"You're to take her, miss, please—from Mrs. Beever. And you're to keep her."

Rose had already greeted the little visitor. "Please assure Mrs. Beever that I will. She's with Miss Martle?"

"She is indeed, miss."

Manning always spoke without emotion, and the effect of it on this occasion was to give her the air of speaking without pity.

Rose, however, didn't mind that. "She may trust me," she said, while Manning saluted and retired. Then she stood before her old suitor with Effie blooming on her shoulder.