‘Oh! that was right, Mrs. Eden. The mischief was all my making and Jane’s. We said those foolish things, and they were repeated as if it was he. Oh! do tell your brother so, Mrs. Eden. It was very good of you to think it was not Cousin Robert. Pray tell Tom Naylor. I cannot bear that things should go on in this dreadful way.’
‘Indeed, Miss, I am very sorry,’ said Mrs. Eden.
‘But, Mrs Eden, I am sure that would set it right again,’ said Lily, ‘are not you? I would do anything to have that poor baby christened.’
Lily’s confidence melted away as she saw that Mrs. Eden’s tears were falling fast, and she ended with, ‘Only tell them, and we shall see what will happen.’
‘Very well, Miss Lilias,’ said Mrs. Eden. ‘I am very sorry.’
‘Let us hope that time and patience will set things right,’ said Miss Weston, to relieve the embarrassment of both parties. ‘Your brother must soon see that Mr. Devereux only wishes to do his duty.’
Alethea skilfully covered Lily’s retreat, and the party took leave of Mrs. Eden, and turned into their homeward path.
Lily at first seemed disposed to be silent, and Miss Weston therefore amused herself with listening to the chatter of the little girls as they walked on before them.
‘There are only thirty-six days to the holidays,’ said Phyllis; ‘Ada and I keep a paper in the nursery with the account of the number of days. We shall be so glad when Claude, and Maurice, and Redgie come home.’
‘Are they not very boisterous?’ said Marianne.