"Friends are at all times dangerous to a lady who—"
"Hates her husband—ha! ha! Especially male friends?"
"Especially male friends."
Here Guy, who had lingered out of his little bed most unlawfully—hovering about, ready to do any chivalrous duty to his idol of the day—came up to bid her good-night, and held up his rosy mouth, eagerly.
"I—kiss a little child! I!"—and from her violent laughter she burst into a passion of tears.
The mother signed me to carry Guy away; she and John took Lady Caroline into the parlour, and shut the door.
Of course I did not then learn what passed—but I did afterwards.
Lady Caroline's tears were evanescent, like all her emotions. Soon she became composed—asked again for writing materials—then countermanded the request.
"No, I will wait till to-morrow. Ursula, you will take me in for the night?"
Mrs. Halifax looked appealingly to her husband, but he gave no assent.