She waited, knowing that Cicely would soon come to her own rooms.
Cicely, meanwhile, believing that her mother was quite unaware of Wilverley’s departure, had not yet considered how and when she could tell the abominable truth. The paramount necessity of the moment was to be alone. Accordingly, after Arthur had disappeared, she remained on the sofa, staring at her father’s portrait. She made sure that her mother was in the garden under the tree where tea was served on hot afternoons.
Presently, she opened the door, saw that the corridor was empty, and stole swiftly to her sitting-room. As she entered it, Lady Selina rose to meet her.
“Why has Arthur gone?” she asked calmly.
Cicely, completely taken aback, unable to temporise, faltered out:
“Because I have broken off our engagement.”
CHAPTER IX
TIMOTHY FARLEIGH
I
Lady Selina, you may be sure, betrayed at first neither surprise nor anger. She lifted her arched brows, smiled faintly, and murmured:
“Indeed! Am I to take that literally, child? You, not Arthur, have broken off this solemn engagement?”