She had some little difficulty in beginning, for there was a sort of vague consciousness of weakness about her, which occasionally made her timid in her activity. However, she at length said--
"I did not expect to find Colonel Middleton here this morning, my love."
Maria, who knew every turn of her aunt's mind as well as that of her own sandal, saw what was coming; and a slight glow spread over her face, deepening the colour of her cheek and tinging her fair brow and temples.
"Why not, my dear aunt?" she asked, knowing that it would never do to show any timidity.
"Why, if he was here for an hour before I came in, his visit must have been an early one," replied Lady Fleetwood.
Maria mused for a single moment, but then determined upon her course at once.
"He wished to see me, my dear aunt," she said; "and therefore he came at a time when he thought I should be at home."
Lady Fleetwood began to perceive that the matter was rather hopeless; and shaking her head, with a deep sigh she replied--
"I am sorry to hear it, my love. I had hoped----"
There she stopped, and looked so disconsolate that Maria in her own kind and gentle manner crossed the room, sat down beside her, and laid her hand kindly upon her aunt's.