“Yes, the baroness detained me,” answered Lilith.
“I am getting jealous of that there baroness. I am so,” said Aunt Sophie, half in jest, half in earnest. “But take off your things right here and come down to lunch. I have got such a beautiful cup of broma for you.”
“Thank you, dear Aunt Sophie. But I have had lunch. The baroness made me stay for it, with her,” replied Lilith.
“Now I am jealous of that baroness—downright jealous, that I am,” said Aunt Sophie, with such an aggrieved look that Lilith embraced her, and privately resolved never to be persuaded to stay to lunch with Madame Von Bruyin so long as they should remain in New York.
Lilith did not go to the baroness the next day, but she went down on Broadway to purchase the necessaries for her sea voyage.
When she returned to her boarding-house a great surprise awaited her.
Aunt Sophie met her at the door with a radiant, beaming countenance, and asked, with a very mysterious air:
“Well, honey! Who do you think has come? And is in the parlor waiting for you? You can’t guess!”
Lilith’s heart gave a great bound. For a moment she could not move, and her swiftly changing color and agitated features caused Aunt Sophie to laugh softly, as she added:
“Why, it is Emily Ponsonby, of course. She has just arrived from Boston, where she has been staying with her daughter ever since she left the city the morning after she brought you here. She reached the city last night, and is stopping with her other daughter, Mrs. Saxony. And this morning she came right down here to inquire after you. She came in just about ten minutes after you had gone out. Now come in and see her.”