In the morning
people looked at her as she walked down the long platform with the box
still struggling before her. She almost wished that she had undertaken its
carriage herself, as she thought that even she could have managed with
less outward show of effort. Her own servants seemed to be in league
against her, and Miss Macnulty had never before been so generally
unpleasant. Poor Miss Macnulty, who had a conscientious idea of doing her
duty, and who always attempted to give an adequate return for the bread
she ate, could not so far overcome the effect of Mr. Camperdown's visit as
to speak on any subject without being stiff and hard. And she suffered,
too, from the box, to such a degree that she turned over in her mind the
thought of leaving Lizzie if any other possible home might be found for
her. Who would willingly live with a woman who always travelled about with
a diamond necklace worth ten thousand pounds, locked up in an iron safe--
and that necklace not her own property?
But at last Lady Eustace, and Miss Macnulty, and the servants--and the
iron box--reached Portray Castle in safety.
CHAPTER XXI
"IANTHE'S SOUL"
Lady Eustace had been rather cross on the journey down to Scotland, and
had almost driven the unfortunate Macnulty to think that Lady Linlithgow
or the workhouse would be better than this young tyrant; but on her
arrival at her own house she was for a while all smiles and kindness.
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