Chapter 4

           Mother,mother,Iamsohappy!"whisperedthegirl,buryingherfaceinthelapofthefaded,tired-lookingwoman who,withbackturnedtotheshrillintrusivelight,wassittingintheonearm-chairthattheirdingysitting-roomcontained. "Iamsohappy!"sherepeated,"andyoumustbehappytoo!" 

           Mrs.Vanewinced,andputherthinbismuth-whitenedhandsonherdaughter’shead. "Happy!"sheechoed,"Iamonlyhappy,Sibyl,whenIseeyouact. Youmustnotthinkofanythingbutyouracting. Mr.Isaacshasbeenverygoodtous,andweowehimmoney." 

           Thegirllookedupandpouted. "Money,mother?"shecried, "whatdoesmoneymatter?Loveismorethanmoney." 

           "Mr.Isaacshasadvancedusfiftypoundstopayoffourdebts,andtogetaproperoutfitforJames. Youmustnotforgetthat,Sibyl.Fiftypoundsisaverylargesum. Mr.Isaacshasbeenmostconsiderate." 

           "Heisnotagentleman,mother,andIhatethewayhetalkstome,"saidthegirl,risingtoherfeet,andgoingovertothewindow. 

           "Idon’tknowhowwecouldmanagewithouthim,"answeredtheelderwoman,querulously. 

           SibylVanetossedherheadandlaughed. "Wedon’twanthimanymore,mother.PrinceCharmingruleslifeforusnow." Thenshepaused.Aroseshookinherblood,andshadowedhercheeks. Quickbreathpartedthepetalsofherlips.Theytrembled. Somesouthernwindofpassionsweptoverher,andstirredthedaintyfoldsofherdress. "Ilovehim,"shesaid,simply.