“He didn’t know.”
“Ah! Then you didn’t tell him? Why didn’t you?”
It was difficult to reply, but there was something in Bella’s voice that disarmed Millicent’s resentment. Bella had grown gentler since her marriage and less often indulged in bitterness.
“I think,” said Millicent, “I didn’t want any one to distract me; I’m going to make photographs and sketches for the book, you know.”
“But you let us come!”
“Yes,” assented Millicent; “you’re different.”
“That’s true. We won’t disturb you; and Nasmyth wouldn’t count. He’s an unobtrusive person, only to the front when he is wanted, which is a good deal to say for him; he doesn’t expect anything. No doubt, the same applies to Lisle.”
Millicent made no answer and Bella wondered whether she had gone too far.
“But didn’t Clarence hear that you were going?” she asked.
“He was in Switzerland with his mother. She had been recommended to try a change.”