"Not ready yet?"
If Madeline could believe her eyes, Claire was actually smiling!
"I thought you would be waiting for me," continued Claire, composedly, pulling a big chair forward, and sitting down where she could look full in Madeline's face. "But it is just as well; there is something that I want to say, before we go down. Why don't you go on with your hair?"
Madeline's hand, brush and all, had dropped to her side, and she was silently staring at her friend. Without a word she resumed her employment, looking more at Claire than at her own reflected image.
"You guessed rightly, when you accused me of having seen Mr. Percy to-day," pursued Claire.
"Accused, Claire?"
"Well, informed, then. I did see him. He wrote me a letter; it was posted at Bellair; you see," smiling bitterly; "that I have no reason for doubting anything you have told me."
A new light broke over Madeline's face. "Do you doubt?" she asked, quickly.
"Not one word!"
"Oh!" drawing a breath of relief. "You were so composed I thought—"