Miss Merivales Mistake | Page 3

Jephson's, a clergyman's widow; but the
arrangement did not somehow prove a satisfactory one, and it was a
relief to them both when Clare Desborough, whose old admiration for
Pauline had revived on meeting her in London, had begged her to share
the little flat her mother had consented to rent for her, while the family
spent the winter in Italy.
Pauline found the freedom of a flat delightful, and looked forward with
a sinking heart to the day of Lady Desborough's return. Her only hope
was that Rose might be induced to entreat her aunt to let her live in
London, so that she might study music at the Royal Academy. Pauline

was sure that Miss Merivale would consent, if only Rose's pleading was
urgent enough. Rose had had her own way all her life.
[Illustration: PAULINE LEANT AGAINST THE DRESSER AND
WATCHED HER.]
"There, it is quite ready now," Rose said, as she finished cutting the
bread and butter. "If you will move a little, Pauline, I will carry the tray
in."
"I ought to do that," said Pauline lazily. "What will your aunt think,
Rosie? I am not treating you like a visitor, am I?"
"I wish I wasn't a visitor," said Rose, with a faint little sigh. "I envy
Clare more than I ever envied anybody. She must be having a lovely
time." "It will soon be over, poor dear. I wish"--Pauline stopped again,
and began a fresh sentence. "You and I would get on better than Clare
and I do, Rose. We like the same things. She does not care a bit for
music, but I can't live without it. What delightful times we could have
together, Rose! But I don't suppose your aunt would hear of it. She is
more old-fashioned in her ideas than Lady Desborough."
Rose had clasped her hands together. "Oh, Pauline, it would be too
delightful! Would you really like to have me? Aunt Lucy might let me
come, though I'm afraid she could not get on without me. And there's
Tom!"
Pauline's dark eyes grew quizzical "I didn't know you were afraid of
Tom, Rose. Doesn't he think everything you do is right? Was there ever
a little girl so spoiled by a big brother?"
"But he thinks I ought always to be at home to wait on him. You said
the other day that he was selfish, Pauline."
"All brothers are, my dear," returned Pauline oracularly, "and it is
sisters who make them so. Come, strike a blow for your liberty, Rose.
You are not really wanted at home, and you are wasting your days in
that dull little country place. Wouldn't you like to live here with me?"

Rose's face was answer enough. She drew a deep breath before she
spoke. "If only Aunt Lucy wouldn't miss me too much, Pauline! But
she's not strong. I don't think she could do without me."
"She would be better if she came up to London oftener and had a fuller
life," returned Pauline, with decision. "Her ill health has always been
mainly imaginary, Rose. When people have nothing else to do, they
sink into invalidism. But you are making me lose my character as a
hostess altogether. Let us take in the tea. Your aunt will wonder what
we have been doing."
But Miss Merivale had not noticed that the tea was a long time in
making its appearance. She was still absorbed in anxious thought when
the girls came in, and after a little while she managed to lead the
conversation back to Clare and her typewriter.
"Mr. Powell suggested that we should have the programmes for the
concert typewritten, Rose. He said it would be cheaper. Could you give
me the address of Miss Sampson, Miss Smythe?"
"I shouldn't advise you to employ her, Miss Merivale," returned Pauline
in a voice that had a sharp edge to it. For some reason or other, Clare's
assistant was evidently not a favourite of hers. "I don't believe she
knows her business properly. Lady Desborough's sister picked her up
for Clare."
"I might try her. Could you give me her address, my dear?"
Pauline opened her eyes. It was utterly unlike Miss Merivale to be so
persistent. "I am afraid I can't, Miss Merivale. I know nothing whatever
about her, except that she has just come from Australia with some
relations who kept a small shop out there. It was foolish of Mrs.
Metcalfe to send us such a person. There are so many ladies who would
be glad to do the work."
Miss Merivale had caught her breath sharply as Pauline mentioned
Australia, but neither of the girls noticed her agitation. Rose had
wandered to the window, and was looking with delight at the vast

expanse of chimney-tops, and the little glimpse