"No, it might have been awkward."
"Why? what do you mean, ma chere?"
"It might relate to the hidden wife story."
"Nonsense, Vaura; mark my words, he has no more a hidden wife than you have a hidden husband."
"Yes, yes, I know, and should not be hasty, for errare est humanum," she said quickly, brushing something very like a tear from her bright eyes.
"I am so glad, dear," said Lady Esmondet, apparently not noticing her emotion, "that your uncle hit upon this plan of Lionel being our travelling companion, there is so much adaptability in him, he gives one quite a restful feeling."
"Own at once," she answered, recovering herself, "that 'tis pleasant to have a man about one, and that we have not drawn a blank in our present squire des dames."
"Just my thought, dear; but he is coming, or it may be they, for
Lionel is talking to some one."
"The deity and his votary; now do you forgive my faith and credulity,
Miss Vernon," he said, sauntering in with a noble dog at his heels.
"Splendid fellow," cried Vaura, impulsively, drawing his head to her knee, laying her cheek against it; looking up at his master she said: "Forgive me, I misunderstood you; remembering you only as my old-time Knight of the Lion Heart, I feared the world of women had spoiled you."