But Lucy had a little plot in her head, and her appearance at the dinner-table on that Sunday must depend on the manner in which her plot was executed. After church, Lord Fawn would always hang about the grounds for awhile before going into the house; and on this morning Lucy also remained outside. She soon found her opportunity, and walked straight up to him, following him on the path. "Lord Fawn," she said, "I have come to beg your pardon."
He had turned round hearing footsteps behind him, but still was startled and unready. "It does not matter at all," he said.
"It matters to me, because I behaved badly."
"What I said about Mr. Greystock wasn't intended to be said to you, you know."
"Even if it was it would make no matter. I don't mean to think of that now. I beg your pardon because I said what I ought not to have said."
"You see, Miss Morris, that as the head of this family—"
"If I had said it to Juniper, I would have begged his pardon." Now Juniper was the gardener, and Lord Fawn did not quite like the way in which the thing was put to him. The cloud came across his brow, and he began to fear that she would again insult him. "I oughtn't to accuse anybody of an untruth,—not in that way; and I am very sorry for what I did, and I beg your pardon." Then she turned as though she were going back to the house.
But he stopped her. "Miss Morris, if it will suit you to stay with my mother, I will never say a word against it."
"It is quite settled that I am to go to-morrow, Lord Fawn. Only for that I would not have troubled you again."
Then she did turn towards the house, but he recalled her. "We will shake hands, at any rate," he said, "and not part as enemies." So they shook hands, and Lucy came down and sat in his company at the dinner-table.