"Come and draw these coverings over me, Céline, and then go and bring him up," replied Cora.
Then she glanced at Lucian, who said, carelessly: "Well, my dear, I will go down to the library."
Céline adjusted the wraps and pillows and then went out, closely followed by Lucian. She was not aware that Mr. Percy was expected, the message having been sent by Henry. And she was not a little anxious to know the nature of the interview that was about to be held.
Mr. Percy, conducted to Cora's door by Céline, entered the room with his usual lazy grace, and approached the recumbent figure in the darkened corner, saying, in a tone of hypocritical solicitude:
"Madame, I trust you are not overtaxing your strength in thus kindly granting me an interview."
He knew so well how to assume the manner best calculated to throw her off her guard and into a rage.
But Cora, understanding his tactics, and her own failing, was prepared for him. In tones as smooth as his own she answered:
"You are very good, and I find my strength returning quite rapidly. In fact," and here a double meaning was apparent, as she intended it should be, "I think I shall soon be stronger than before my illness."
There was silence for a moment. Evidently Mr. Percy was not inclined to help her to put into words whatever she had in her mind.
"I sent for you," she continued, "because I have something to say before you meet with a person who, as you are likely to remain one of this pleasant family, you must of necessity, and for policy's sake, meet with the outward forms of politeness." Here she paused as if from exhaustion, and he, lifting his fine eyebrows slightly, kept silence still.