The maid left the room, and brother and sister sat looking at each other.
“Did you speak, Josiah?” said Mrs Lavington.
“No; I was only thinking that I do not trust you and you don’t trust me.”
“What do you mean?” faltered the poor woman, who looked more agitated now.
“You were not going to bed, but to listen for Lindon’s return, and were then going to watch whether I left my room to talk to him.”
Mrs Lavington was silent.
“Guilty,” said Uncle Josiah, smiling. “Come now, fair play. Will you go to your room and promise to stay there till breakfast time to-morrow morning, if I give you my word to do the same?”
“Yes,” said the shrinking woman eagerly.
“That’s agreed to, then. Good-night, Laura, my dear.”
“Good-night, Josiah.”