Julia had had a complete douche. She murmured a promise of compliance, and stole away.
[CHAPTER XX.]
TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
"So it is to be East Bourne, not Brighton," Francesca remarked, entering the drawing-room.
More than a week had passed since Julia's talk with her husband about Hermione—a talk not since renewed. Julia had not ventured to bring up the subject afresh, and Harvey never alluded to it. She was conscious, indeed, of a tendency on his part to avoid têtes-à-tête, and to shirk opportunities for conversation.
Mrs. Trevor's announcement brought startled eyes in her direction, alike from Julia reading in one window, and from Hermione writing letters in another. Mittie, playing with a kitten on the floor, showed interest rather than surprise.
"I should have preferred Brighton, for my part, simply because it is bigger, and I have friends there. Besides, the height of the season will be over in East Bourne, and at Brighton everybody would be coming down from Town. However, I don't much care. Anything for change."
"Are we going to East Bourne, mother? Where is East Bourne?" demanded Mittie's small voice.
"In Sussex, of course, child. Yes, we are going next week."
"Harvey has not told me," Julia observed, in a tone which brought the quick response—