Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/216

 visit, and mention casually that her life was an entire failure, either for use or enjoyment, was so novel and startling, that they hardly knew how to deal with it. hey were inclined to adopt their usual resource, and to call to mamma to come and rectify the disastrous state of Miss Monteneros' existence. She would know exactly what to do. But on looking towards her, they saw she had present woes of her own, and that she was nearly annihilated by the condescension of the Baroness, and the humility of the Baron—so Janet gallantly threw herself again into the fight.

"Miss Monteneros, you must not be angry," Rachel smiled, "of course, you are much cleverer than we are, and know a great deal more about feelings, and poetry and that sort of thing; but I do not like to hear you say you are not happy."

"I do not like it either," said Rachel, languidly, "but it is a fact, though, perhaps, I need not have mentioned it to you."

"But I am glad you did, if you will let