d:

"It has scarcely been possible for me to stay in the house.
Fortunately mother has been there very little herself. She goes
and goes and drives and drives. Strange things have been
happening. You know that Judge Morris has not missed coming on
Sunday evening for years. Last night mother sat on the veranda
waiting for him and he did not come. I know, for I watched. What
have I to do but watch other people's affairs?--I have none of my
own. I believe the trouble is all between Isabel and Rowan."

Miss Anna dropped her work and looked at Harriet with sudden
gravity.

"I can give you no idea of the real situation because it is very
dramatic; and you know, Anna, I am not dramatic: I am merely
historical: I tell my little tales. But at any rate Rowan has not
been at the house for a week. He called last Sunday afternoon and
Isabel refused to see him. I know; because what have I to do but
to interest myself in people who have affairs of interest? Then
Isabel had his picture in her room: it has been taken down. She
had some of his books: they are gone. The house has virtually been
closed to company. Isabel has excused herself to callers. Mother
was to give a tea; the invitations were cancelled. At table Isabel
and mother barely speak; but when I am not near, they talk a great
deal to each other. And Isabel walks and walks and walks--in the
garden, in her rooms. I have waked up two or three times at night
and have seen her sitting at her window. She has always been very
kind to me, Anna," Harriet's voice faltered, "she and you: and I
cannot bear to see her so unhappy. You would never believe that a
few days would make such a change in her. The other morning I went
up to her room with a little bunch of violets which I had gathered
for her myself. When she opened the door, I saw that she was
packing her trunks. And the dress she had ordered for Marguerite's
ball was lying on the bed ready to be put in. As I gave her the
flowers she stood looking at them a long time; then she kissed me
without a word and quickly closed the door."

When Harriet had gone. Miss Anna sat awhile in her porch with a
troubled face. Then she went softly into the library, the windows
of which opened out upon the porch. Professor Hardage was standing
on a short step-ladder before a bookcase, having just completed the
arrangement of the top shelf.

"Are you never going to get down?" she asked, looking up at him
fondly.