“I am not at all tired,” said Esmeralda. “Why should I be?”
Lady Lilias gave a little inaudible sigh of satisfaction as she heard the sweet, clear voice.
“It is such a long journey,” she said. “But you look very strong; and I am very glad that you are not very tired.”
Lady Wyndover declared for tea at once, and Lady Lilias gave it them. Esmeralda watched her curiously and with pleasure. She had never seen any one so small, so dainty, and with such a self-possessed and matronly air behind her youth. As they were drinking their tea and chatting, Lord Selvaine came in. He greeted Esmeralda as an old friend, and with a little empressement, which indicated his consciousness of her new importance.
“The duke begged me to say how sorry he was that he could not be down to receive you,” he said; “but he is feeling a little tired this afternoon. He hopes to see you at dinner.”
“Would you like to go upstairs now?” said Lilias. “Your maids have gone to your rooms.”
She herself, as a special mark of welcome, escorted them. Esmeralda was amazed at the size of her rooms, and the magnificence of their appointments; and Barker, when the door had closed, could not help exclaiming:
“Oh, miss! What a wonderful place! I’ve never dreamed of anything like it!”
When Lord Selvaine and Trafford were left alone, they stood for a moment or two in silence. Trafford stood erect on the rug, with his hand upon the hound’s head; Lord Selvaine toyed with his cup and spoon.
“Well!” he said, at last. “You’ve done it, Traff?”