At this moment Maurice came up, with a message that Miss Weston and Eleanor were going away, and wanted the little girls. They followed him to the tent, which had been cleared of the tables, and lighted up, in order that the dancing might continue there. Most of their own party were collected at the entrance, watching for them. Lilias came up just as they did, and exclaimed in a tone of disappointment, on finding them preparing to depart. She had enjoyed herself exceedingly, found plenty of partners, and was not in the least tired.
‘Why should she not stay?’ said William. ‘Claude has engaged to stay to the end of everything, and he may as well drive her as ride the gray.’
‘And you, Jenny,’ said Mr. Mohun, ‘do you like to stay or go? Alethea will make room for you in the pony-carriage, or you may go with Eleanor.
‘With Eleanor, if you please,’ said Jane.
‘Already, Jane?’ said Lily. ‘Are you tired?’
Jane drew her aside. ‘Tired of hearing that I was right about what you would not believe. Did you not hear what he called her? And Rotherwood has found it out.’
‘It is all gossip and mistake,’ said Lily.
Here Jane was called away by Eleanor, and departed with her; Lilias went to look for her aunt or Florence, but on the way was asked to dance by Mr. Carrington.
‘I suppose I may congratulate you,’ said he in one of the pauses in the quadrille.
Lily thought it best to misunderstand, and answered, ‘Everything has gone off very well.’