She did not care what
became of her. When Christopher Holland brought Victoria as
mistress to the house where his mother had toiled, and suffered,
and ruled with her rod of iron, Eunice was gone. In Charles
Holland's household she took Electa's place--an unpaid upper
servant.
Charles and Caroline were kind enough to her, and there was
plenty to do. For five years her dull, colorless life went on,
during which time she never crossed the threshold of the house
where Victoria Holland ruled with a sway as absolute as Naomi's
had been. Caroline's curiosity led her, after her first anger
had cooled, to make occasional calls, the observations of which
she faithfully reported to Eunice. The latter never betrayed any
interest in them, save once. This was when Caroline came home
full of the news that Victoria had had the room where Naomi died
opened up, and showily furnished as a parlor. Then Eunice's
sallow face crimsoned, and her eyes flashed, over the
desecration. But no word of comment or complaint ever crossed
her lips.
She knew, as every one else knew, that the glamor soon went from
Christopher Holland's married life. The marriage proved an
unhappy one. Not unnaturally, although unjustly, Eunice blamed
Victoria for this, and hated her more than ever for it.
Christopher seldom came to Charles' house. Possibly he felt
ashamed. He had grown into a morose, silent man, at home and
abroad.
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