The next day Miss Carrington was nervously anxious to have the hour of departure arrive; she was ill enough to want everything that was to happen to be quickly over and done. She did not attempt to go to the station, but bade Helen good-bye in her library. Helen lightly kissed Miss Carrington farewell. She was regal in her gray-green costume with its small hat, a touch of gold its sole ornament, risking comparison with her hair and losing by the venture.
“I’ve had a wonderful visit. You’ve been delightful to me, dear Miss Carrington,” Helen said. “I hope you’ll rest and regain your strength. Come to visit me when I’m settled down. That will not be for some time, but come when I am established. I’ll be married at Christmas, if I can get things made by then. We may go abroad for the honeymoon; we have not settled our plans. But they will include a visit from you when I’m in my own house. Good-bye. Are you going to the station with us, nice Kit? That’s dear of you! Parting is sweet sorrow, and this one will lead to a lovers’ meeting, I trust. Tell your brown lass that I congratulate her, though custom reserves congratulations to the man. Come, Father, I’m ready.”
“Good-bye, Miss Carrington. Get strong fast,” said Helen’s father, looking annoyed. “Think over my prescription. I’ll guarantee your recovery if you follow it up. Good-bye.”
Kit handed Helen into the car, put the bags in after Mr. Abercrombie, then got up beside Noble and they drove away. A good deal had happened since Helen had arrived. Kit realized that he was not the inexperienced boy who had greeted her.
No sooner were they gone than Miss Carrington hastened upstairs, calling as she reached the top:
“Minerva, Minerva, make haste!”
“I do not think that you should go, Miss Carrington,” protested Minerva, ready with Miss Carrington’s hat, coat, and gloves.
“Don’t you? Did you order a carriage?” asked her mistress.
It appeared that Minerva had, though under protest, and Miss Carrington hurried her dressing. She bade the livery carriage driver to take her to Latham Street, and to wait.
Miss Carrington appeared unexpectedly in Richard’s quiet room. She found him in his favourite chair, peacefully taking part in conversation with Ted Wilberforce and his sitter.