Horatia shut the door. “D-don’t speak too loud! Mama’s bedroom is next door. What did she say?”
“I have not seen Lady Winwood,” Mr Heron answered heavily.
“Stupid! L-Lizzie!”
He said tightly: “Only goodbye.”
“It shan’t be!” said Horatia, with determination. “L-listen, Edward! I have a p-plan!”
He looked down at her, a gleam of hope in his eyes. “I’ll do anything!” he said. “Only tell me!”
“It isn’t anything for you to do,” said Horatia. “I am g-going to do it!”
“You?” he said doubtfully. “But what can you do?”
“I d-don’t know, but I’m g-going to try. M-mind, I can’t be sure that it will succeed, but I think perhaps it m-might.”
“But what is it?” he persisted.