What old December's bareness everywhere!"
—Shakespeare.
So Lady Chetwoode goes down to The Cottage in her carriage, and insists upon carrying Cecilia back with her,—to which, after a slight demur, Cecilia gladly assents.
"But how to get Cyril," says practical Lilian, who is with them.
"He is in Amsterdam," answers Cecilia, with some hesitation. "Colonel Trant told me so in his letter."
"Colonel Trant is the most wonderful man I know," says Lilian; "but Amsterdam of all places! What on earth can any one want in Amsterdam?"
At this they all laugh, partly because they are still somewhat nervously inclined, and partly because (though why, I cannot explain) they seem to find something amusing in the mere thought of Amsterdam.
"I hope he won't bring back with him a fat vrouw," says Miss Chesney. And then she runs up-stairs to tell Kate to get ready to accompany her mistress.
Turning rather timidly toward Lady Chetwoode, Cecilia says:
"When Cyril returns, then,—you will not—you do not——"