“Have you ever been abroad, Miss Raymond?” asked Mabel.
“No,” said Clementina. “Mamma has such a horror of the sea; she is so liable to be seasick. It is such a pity, when one has the means, that there should be a drawback.”
This was another of Clementina’s little fictions. In plain truth, want of means was the only objection to a European trip on the part of the Raymonds.
“When you are married, Miss Raymond, you will not be dependent on your mother as a companion;, then you can gratify your taste.”
“So I can,” said Clementina with naive simplicity, as if the idea had just occurred to her. “If I can’t go in any other way, I shall be willing to pay the expenses of the tour myself. So you’re really at work upon a new picture, Mr. Thorpe?”
“I have not made much progress yet, but I have made a beginning.”
“I should like to see it. I couldn’t, of course, hope to offer any suggestion, but I can tell whether I like it.”
“Thank you. When it is more advanced I shall be glad to ask your opinion of it.”
“Do you ever give lessons in painting, Mr, Thorpe?”
“I did at one time, but I found that it interfered with my work.”
“Then I cannot hope to secure you as a teacher. It would be so nice to go out in the fields, and take lessons from so competent an instructor.”
“You flatter me, Miss Raymond.”
“You only say so because of your modesty, Mr. Thorpe. I have a high opinion of your talent, and I shall take every opportunity of mentioning you in my set.”
“Thank you.”
Allan Thorpe was clear sighted enough to estimate Miss Raymond’s sudden interest in him at its right value. He also had a suspicion that her set was not one likely to care much for arts or artists. But it amused him to watch Clementina’s jealousy, and to penetrate her motives in turning her attention to him.
“If I can help her to secure a husband,” he thought, “she is quite welcome to make use of me.”
It did not seem, however, that she had accomplished much. Mr. Chester was chatting contentedly with Mabel, glad that Clementina was otherwise occupied than in teasing him.
“Then you are not sure that you will remain in Granville after the summer, Miss Frost? ” he inquired.
“My plans are quite undecided,” answered Mabel.
“I suppose you will continue to teach?”
“Even that is not certain. Perhaps I might obtain a situation as companion to an elderly lady. Do you know of any likely to want my services, Mr. Chester?”
Mr. Chester would have liked to suggest that the position of companion to a gentleman was open to her acceptance; but the occasion was too public.
“I may hear of such a position, Miss Frost,” he said; “and if you will leave me your address, in case you do not remain in Granville, I will ,certainly let you know.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chester.”
At this point there was a startling interruption. Miss Raymond had been sitting for five minutes silent and incensed. Her little flirtation with Mr. Thorpe had not ruffled Mr. Chester’s serenity nor interrupted his devotion to the school mistress. She rose from her seat, lost her balance, and fell against the side of the boat, upsetting it, and precipitating the four who occupied it into the water.
Fortunately they were not far from shore. Still, the water was six feet deep, and of course there was danger. Mr. Chester could swim a little, and, without a thought of his companions, he struck out for the shore. Allan Thorpe could swim also. Fortunately he was cool in the moment of peril. His first thought was for Mabel.
“Cling to me, Mabel,” he said, forgetting ceremony at this moment. “I will help you.”
Clementina, wild with terror, had grasped him by the coat, and this hampered his movements; but with a great effort, he succeeded in conveying both girls to more shallow water. Had the distance been greater, it is doubtful if he would have succeeded.
“You are out of danger,” he said. “The water is not deep here. We can walk ashore.”