Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/290

 smile. "You seem to forget, Charlotte, that the existing arrangement can no longer go on."

"Pray, why not?"

"You have just been kind enough to tell us," he said bitingly, "that Sarah and the girls are going to live with you at Hill Street—except, of course, on one condition!"

Their eyes met. Suddenly they smiled frostily at each other.

"If you care to leave the matter to me," said Charlotte, "I will see to that."

"But that woman, Sarah," he persisted. "She's so obstinate that we may have to tell her."

Charlotte shook her head doughtily. "I think I shall be able to manage her."

"So be it." He smiled grimly. "Anyhow we shall be very glad to leave that matter in your hands."

"With perfect safety, I think you may do that." And Charlotte, sore and embittered as she was, rounded off this comfortable assurance with a long sigh of relief.