Cecilia replied with dignity that she knew just what she should say, and moved toward the door. Before she had reached it, it was opened, and Dassett came in again, this time to inform her that Lord Bromford had called and desired the favor of a word with her.
“You should have denied me!” Cecilia said. “I cannot see Lord Bromford now!”
“No, miss,” said Dassett. “But his lordship seems quite set on seeing either you, or her ladyship, miss, and her ladyship is with Miss Amabel, and does not wish to be disturbed.” He gave his deprecating cough. “I should perhaps mention that his lordship, knowing that Miss Sophy has gone out of town, is extremely wishful to learn of her direction.”
“Who told him that Miss Sophy is gone out of town?” Cecilia said sharply.
“That I could not take it upon myself to say, miss. Not having received any orders to the contrary, I did not consider it my place to deny the fact, when his lordship condescended to inquire of me if it was true.”
Cecilia cast rather a helpless glance at Miss Wraxton, who at once took the conduct of affairs into her capable hands.
“Pray desire his lordship to step into this room!” she said.
Dassett bowed and withdrew.
“Eugenia! Take care what you are about! What do you mean to say to him?”
Miss Wraxton replied gravely, “That must depend upon circumstance. We do not know how much he is aware of, and we ought not to forget that he has as much interest in your cousin as any of us.”