“Yet when you came to Enderby you brought an introduction from Mrs. Tomkison. Surely my aunt would have been a better person—”
“No doubt; but it is just like me to take the first sponsor who came to hand. When I am in London I half live at Mrs. Tomkison’s, and I had heard her rave about you until I became feverishly anxious to make your acquaintance. I ought perhaps to have referred to Miss Fausset for my credentials—but I am volage by nature: and then I knew Mrs. Tomkison would exaggerate my virtues and ignore my errors.”
Mildred went back to the inner room, and seated herself by the reading-lamp. Castellani followed her, and placed himself on the other side of the small octagon table, leaving only a narrow space between them.
“How pale you are!” he said, with a look of concern. “I hope you are not ill?”
“No, I am only tired after a long walk.”
“I had no idea you had left Enderby.”
“Indeed!”
“You said nothing of your intention of leaving the neighbourhood the day before yesterday.”
“There was no occasion to talk of my plans,” Mildred answered coldly. “We were all too anxious about the concert to think of any other matter.”
“Did you leave soon after the concert?”