"And Paul is safe, in there?"
"Paul is safe—in there. Let sleeping dogs lie. Well? Oh, Leo, you really are too bad,—" for Leo had turned at the words, and was remounting the staircase.
"One can't say a word to her that she doesn't vanish on the instant," muttered Sybil; "how I do dislike that way she has got into! And when Maud goes, of course I shall have to take up with Leo. Hullo! Sue?"
"I was looking for Leo," said Sue.
"Did you look in the only place you were likely to find her? She has hardly been out of her room all day."
"Has she not been out-of-doors at all? Poor child!"
"I tried to get her to come for a walk this morning, but she wouldn't."
"She seems——" said Sue, and stopped short.
"Yes, we all know what she seems, and is: in an uncommonly bad temper, for some reason or other. There is nothing for it but to let her alone."
"I am rather anxious about her somehow, Syb."