Lady Montbarry went back with Agnes
to her room to see the spot on the ceiling which had so strangely
frightened the child. It was so small as to be only just perceptible,
and it had in all probability been caused by the carelessness
of a workman, or by a dripping from water accidentally spilt
on the floor of the room above.
'I really cannot understand why Marian should place such a shocking
interpretation on such a trifling thing,' Lady Montbarry remarked.
'I suspect the nurse is in some way answerable for what has happened,'
Agnes suggested. 'She may quite possibly have been telling
Marian some tragic nursery story which has left its mischievous
impression behind it. Persons in her position are sadly ignorant
of the danger of exciting a child's imagination. You had better
caution the nurse to-morrow.'
Lady Montbarry looked round the room with admiration. 'Is it
not prettily decorated?' she said. 'I suppose, Agnes, you don't
mind sleeping here by yourself.?'
Agnes laughed. 'I feel so tired,' she replied, 'that I was thinking
of bidding you good-night, instead of going back to the drawing-room.
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