There had been some probability that Caroline would return to Littlebath with her aunt; but such was not the case. The autumn was advancing to its close. It was now November, and hardly a month remained before that—may we say happy day?—on which Miss Waddington was to become Lady Harcourt. There was, as Miss Baker said, so much to do, and so little time to do it! It had therefore been decided that Caroline should not return to Littlebath.
"And you have come back only on my account?" said Adela.
"Not at all; I should have come back any way, for many reasons. I like to see Mr. Bertram from time to time, especially now that he has acknowledged Caroline; but it would kill me to stay long at that house. Did you see much of Sir Lionel while you were at Miss Todd's?"
"Yes, a good deal," said Adela, who could hardly keep from smiling as she answered the question.
"He is always there, I believe. My idea is, that they mean to make a match of it. It is, indeed."
"Oh, no; I don't think that."
"Don't you now? Well, you have been in the house, and must have seen a great deal. But what else can bring him there so much?"
"Miss Todd says he's always talking about you."
"About me; what nonsense!" And Miss Baker went up to her room rather better pleased than she had been.
Caroline, as will be remembered, had written to Adela with the tidings of her new engagement. Adela had answered that letter affectionately, but shortly; wishing her friend every happiness, and saying what little in the cheerful vein she could allow herself to say on such an occasion. The very shortness of her letter had conveyed condemnation, but that Adela could not help.