Out of her sphere - University Library

170 OUT OF HER SPHERE.
Beatey had a long dull day after that.
Mrs. Eushington kept her and Milly with
her the rest of the morning, and when
visitors were announced, received them in
the drawing-room, so that if they had any-
thing to say of the Great Scandal that was
stirring all Wearmouth that day, the girls
should hear nothing of it. She had se-
lected an especially heavy book for their
reading, and kept them to it. It seemed
as if dinner would never come, and when
it did come, as if it would never be over.
But it was finished at last, and Mrs. Eush-
ington, reposing majestically on the couch,
desired Milly, as usual, to sit down to the
piano, and soon afterwards was asleep, under
the influence of one of Beethoven's sonatas.
That was Beatey*s opportunity ;
it was long
past seven, but she had no doubt but that
Temple Masters would be waiting for her,
and, throwing a cloak around her, she hur-
ried to the bank by the wall, and kneel-