‘That was well done,’ she said. ‘Talking would have been impossible while he sat looking on!’
‘I am afraid he has given far too good an account of me,’ said Lucy, in a low and trembling voice.
‘His account comes from one who has known you from babyhood.’
‘And spoilt me from babyhood!’
‘Yes, Sarah knows what Cousin Peter can do in that line. He had little that was new to tell us, and what he had was of a kind—’ She broke off, choked by tears. What she had heard of the girl’s self-devotion touched her trebly at the sight of one so small, young, and soft-looking. And if she had ever been dubious of ‘Peter’s pet,’ she was completely fascinated.
‘I must not be taken on his word,’ said Cilla, smiling.
‘No, that would not be right by any of us.’
‘Then pray be very hard with me—as a thorough stranger.’
‘But I am so inexperienced, I have only had one interview with a governess.’
‘And what did she do?’ asked Lucilla, as both recovered from a laugh.