At this moment the door opens and Taffy comes in.
"Why! Here is my 'infant,'" exclaims Mabel, surprised. "Dear Mr. Musgrave, I had no idea I should meet you here."
"My dear Mrs. Steyne! I had no idea such luck was in store for me. I am so glad to see you again! Lilian, why didn't you break it to me? Joyful surprises are sometimes dangerous."
"I thought you knew. We have been discussing 'Mabel's' coming," with a shy smile, "all the past month."
"But how could I possibly guess that the 'Mabel' who was occupying everybody's thoughts could be my Mrs. Steyne?"
"Ours!" murmurs Tom, faintly.
"Yes, mine," says Taffy, who is not troubled with over-much shyness.
"Mr. Musgrave is your cousin?" Mabel asks, turning to Lilian.
"No, I am her son," says Taffy: "you wouldn't think it—would you? She is a good deal older than she looks, but she gets herself up wonderfully. She is not a bad mother," reflectively, "when one comes to think of it."
"I dare say if you spoke the truth you would confess her your guardian angel," says Mabel, letting a kindly glance fall on pretty Lilian. "She takes care of you, no doubt."