Trembling with passionate joy, and with her heart beating so that she could hear it in her ears, she went up the steps and rang the bell.
The door was opened to her by a strange man in livery instead of the female servant who had formerly answered the bell.
Her first sensation of surprise and disappointment was succeeded by an amusing thought.
"Mamma and Sydney are grander than ever. They have set up a man-servant."
"Is Mr. Lyle at home?" she timidly inquired.
The man stared at her a moment in blank surprise; then getting his wits together, replied respectfully:
"The Lyles don't live here now, miss."
"Where have they removed? Can you tell me?" she inquired, thinking that perhaps her mother's and sister's extravagance had caused her father's failure at last, and that they had taken a cheaper house.
"Mrs. Lyle and Miss Lyle, and Lady Valentine are all in Europe, ma'am," he answered, wondering what made the bright, pretty face turn so pale as he gave her the information.
"And Mr. Lyle—you can tell me where I can find him?" she inquired, eagerly.