"Oh,my dear,you needn't pity her!Sappho (that was her name)fetched a high price,even when she was no longer young.She came to us,by inheritance,with the estates and the rest of it;and took a fancy to me,when she found out I didn't get on well with my father and mother.'I owe it to myfather and mother,'she used to say,'that I am a slave.When I see affectionate daughters,it wrings my heart.'Sappho was a strange compound.Awoman with a white side to her character,and a black side.For weeks together,she would be a civilized being.Then she used to relapse,and become as complete a negress as her mother.At the risk of her life she stole away,on those occasions,into the interior of the island,and looked on,in hiding,at the horrid witchcrafts and idolatries of the blacks;they would have murdered a half-blood,prying into their ceremonies,if they had discovered her.I followed her once,so far as I dared.The frightful yellings and drummings in the darkness of the forests frightened me.The blacks suspected her,and it came to my ears.
I gave her the warning that saved her life (I don't know what Ishould have done without Sappho to amuse me!);and,from that time,I do believe the curious creature loved me.You see I can speak generously even of a slave!""I wonder you didn't bring her with you to England,"Emily said.
"In the first place,"Francine answered,"she was my father's property,not mine.In the second place,she's dead.Poisoned,as the other half-bloods supposed,by some enemy among the blacks.
She said herself,she was under a spell!"
"What did she mean?"
Francine was not interested enough in the subject to explain.
"Stupid superstition,my dear.The negro side of Sappho was uppermost when she was dying--there is the explanation.Be off with you!I hear the old woman on the stairs.Meet her before she can come in here.My bedroom is my only refuge from Miss Ladd."On the morning of the last day in the week,Emily had a little talk in private with her old schoolmistress.Miss Ladd listened to what she had to say of Mrs.Ellmother,and did her best to relieve Emily's anxieties."I think you are mistaken,my child,in supposing that Francine is in earnest.It is her great fault that she is hardly ever in earnest.You can trust to my discretion;leave the rest to your aunt's old servant and to me."Mrs.Ellmother arrived,punctual to the appointed time.She was shown into Miss Ladd's own room.Francine--ostentatiously resolved to take no personal part in the affair--went for a walk.
Emily waited to hear the result.
After a long interval,Miss Ladd returned to the drawing-room,and announced that she had sanctioned the engagement of Mrs.
Ellmother.
"I have considered your wishes,in this respect,"she said."It is arranged that a week's notice,on either side,shall end the term of service,after the first month.I cannot feel justified in doing more than that.Mrs.Ellmother is such a respectable woman;she is so well known to you,and she was so long in your aunt's service,that I am bound to consider the importance of securing a person who is exactly fitted to attend on such a girl as Francine.In one word,I can trust Mrs.Ellmother.""When does she enter on her service?"Emily inquired.
"On the day after we return to the school,"Miss Ladd replied.
"You will be glad to see her,I am sure.I will send her here.""One word more before you go,"Emily said.
"Did you ask her why she left my aunt?"
"My dear child,a woman who has been five-and-twenty years in one place is entitled to keep her own secrets.I understand that she had her reasons,and that she doesn't think it necessary to mention them to anybody.Never trust people by halves--especially when they are people like Mrs.Ellmother."It was too late now to raise any objections.Emily felt relieved,rather than disappointed,on discovering that Mrs.Ellmother was in a hurry to get back to London by the next train.Sh e had found an opportunity of letting her lodgings;and she was eager to conclude the bargain."You see I couldn't say Yes,"she explained,"till I knew whether I was to get this new place or not--and the person wants to go in tonight."Emily stopped her at the door."Promise to write and tell me how you get on with Miss de Sor.""You say that,miss,as if you didn't feel hopeful about me.""I say it,because I feel interested about you.Promise to write."Mrs.Ellmother promised,and hastened away.Emily looked after her from the window,as long as she was in view."I wish I could feel sure of Francine!"she said to herself.
"In what way?"asked the hard voice of Francine,speaking at the door.
It was not in Emily's nature to shrink from a plain reply.She completed her half-formed thought without a moment's hesitation.
"I wish I could feel sure,"she answered,"that you will be kind to Mrs.Ellmother.""Are you afraid I shall make her life one scene of torment?"Francine inquired."How can I answer for myself?I can't look into the future.""For once in your life,can you be in earnest?"Emily said.
"For once in your life,can you take a joke?"Francine replied.
Emily said no more.She privately resolved to shorten her visit to Brighton.