She answered him that she had not, but added something in a low, hurried voice. Guarded as it was, I caught the sense.
"There was a little misunderstanding between them," she said; "he wanted me to mediate, and is waiting for her in the garden."
Mr. Lee listened, and one of the rare smiles I have spoken of beamed over his face. He made a movement as if to go out with the widow; but seeing the anxiety in Mrs. Lee's eyes, I went forward at once, saying, as I hurried by the couple,—
"As you are here to sit with Mrs. Lee, sir, I will look for Jessie."
The smile that crept across Mrs. Dennison's lips was like a reptile feeding on a rose.
"You are very kind," she said. "I had no idea of enlisting Mr. Lee; his duties here are too sacred for that."
CHAPTER XXXIX.
LOTTIE AS A LETTER-WRITER.
I hurried on to escape the sound of Mrs. Dennison's voice, for in any tone it filled me with loathing; but as the door closed after me, that of Lottie's opened, and the imp thrust out her head and emitted a mellow crow, clapping her arms as if they had been wings, thus indicating that for once my conduct had met her full approval.