The food was light and perfect. It was nourishing and easily digested. Mrs. Faithful saw that the girl was in a very high state of excitement, and took measures accordingly. She cut up the food into little morsels and made Maureen eat, and then she gave her sips of the rare wine and did all that she did do in a sort of matter of fact way, for she knew that she had in her charge a very precious little girl and that she must take great care of her.
"I'm better now—quite well in fact," said Maureen when the meal had come to an end.
She stood up and stretched herself a little.
"You are good to me," she said. "I can't thank you; there's no time at present. Ask Dominic to wait for me until I want him. I shall want him, I hope, very soon."
"He's going to spend the day here, my love. At present he, Margaret Devereux, and Evelyn Ross are walking in the paddock. I think they are enjoying themselves very much."
"You have a beautiful home," said Maureen.
"It is a home with two sides, darling. For those who have conquered in the fight it is a beautiful home."
"I understand," said Maureen. "Thank you. Please, where shall I find Henrietta?"
"Oh, my darling, you must not go to her now. She's most troublesome and rebellious. We are doing all we can, but nothing seems to move her. You are not in a fit state for an interview with that terrible girl."
"Mrs. Faithful," said Maureen, "why did you send for me?"