'No, I don't think I am,' she answered, looking at him fondly. 'It is such a relief that we are all safe. Did you hear that it was my fault?'
'I heard that you thought it was, mother.'
'But I should like to tell you how it really came about,' she said a little eagerly. 'I told you I was going to my room. Well! I lighted my candle and was on my way across the hall when I heard all the voices in the garden. I wanted to see if Grace was there, and knew I should know her by her light dress, so I put down the candle and went up to my room in the dark. And then, dear, I don't quite know what happened to me. I suppose I was dreaming about you, and dreaming of dear Grace too. I must have fallen into a dream or trance, for I certainly knew nothing until the servants came rushing out with cries of "fire." At that moment I remembered the candle on the window-sill, but, of course, too late. That's all. An accident, and happily, as Lady Elton says, no very serious consequences. Just imagine what we would have felt if it had happened a week ago.'
'I wish it had,' said Tom,'and then my papers might not have gone.'
'Papers?' echoed his mother, her voice fluttering strangely. 'Are they burnt, Tom?'
'Speak of them another time,' said Lady Elton.
'Remember your promise,' whispered Grace.
The colour had leapt to Mrs. Gregory's face, and her eyes, which glittered feverishly, were fixed upon her son.
'They can't have been taken away!' she whispered. 'Who would? Are you sure—are you sure they were not burnt?'
'Of course they were burnt,' said Tom, bending over her in great alarm. 'What else could it be? If you excite yourself like this, you will be ill, mother.'