"There they are now," exclaimed Mrs. Prescott, and hurrying forward she opened the door. Lucia Catherwood and Charlotte Grayson entered. At first they did not see Prescott, who stood near the window, but when his tall form met their eyes Miss Grayson uttered a little cry and the colour rose high in Lucia's face.
"We are surprised to see you, Captain Prescott," she said.
"But glad, too, I hope," he replied.
"Yes, glad, too," she said frankly.
She seemed to have changed. Some of her reserve was gone. This was a great event in her life and she was coming into a new world without losing the old.
"Miss Catherwood," Prescott said, "I am glad that my mother's house is to be the shelter of Miss Grayson and yourself at such a time. We have one or two faithful and strong-armed servants who will see that you suffer no harm."
The two women hesitated and were embarrassed. Prescott saw it.
"You will not be bothered much by me," he said. "I have no instructions, but it is obvious that I should go forth and help maintain order." Then he added: "I saw Mr. Sefton departing. He bade me good-by as if he did not expect ever to be in Richmond again."
Again Lucia Catherwood flushed.
"He said a like farewell to me," she said.