Maud laid down her bundle, and grasped the sides of the table to steady her trembling hands.
“Mother, I don’t know—I’m not certain! I have only thought at times that perhaps—perhaps he cared—”
“Of course, dear. I understand that. He could not show his feelings too plainly while he was unprepared to speak. That is all right, I’m sure. What you have to consider is your own attitude. If you do not care for him, or do not wish to be hurried into a decision, we will postpone this visit until a future occasion. He himself doubted whether I could receive him so soon after our return, so that I can easily make an excuse. On the other hand, Maud, if you would like to see him—”
She paused significantly, and looked full into Maud’s eyes. For a long silent minute that gaze continued, the mother sitting with raised head, the girl standing before her, flushed and shy, yet showing no sign of shrinking before her scrutiny.
“Yes, mother, I would. I’d rather you let him come!”
A quiver passed over Mrs Rendell’s face, and her eyes dropped. No mother in the world can hear that her daughter’s heart has gone beyond her keeping, without feeling a pang of pain mingling with the joy; and this was a peculiarly tender mother, despite her little airs of severity. There were a few minutes when she dared not trust herself to speak, then she held out her hand and drew the girl to her side.
“Bless you, my daughter! My good girl—my dear, kind helper. I’ll miss you sorely; but I am glad of anything that makes for your happiness, now and always. You know that, don’t you, darling?”
Maud put down her head and shed a few tears of happiness and excitement, which had in them no trace of bitterness. When the time arrived for leaving home, that would doubtless be a real trouble; but at present she could not realise the wrench, while her mother’s certainty concerning Ned’s love was the best medicine possible for the doubts which had been so distressing since the occasion of his last visit. In ten minutes’ time she returned to her work, with no stain of tear-marks to tell of her recent emotion, but with a quiet illumination in her face which satisfied the mother that this attachment to Ned Talbot was no mere girlish fancy, but the deep faithful love which endures for a lifetime.
The important letter was posted, and the invitation which it contained accepted by telegram within an hour of its arrival, and half Friday night Maud lay with wide, bright eyes staring through the darkness, too excited, too happy, to sleep.
Ned arrived on Saturday afternoon. It was a glorious spring day, the sun shining so powerfully that for the first time in the year afternoon tea was carried out to the summer-house, while the family gathered around on various garden stools and chairs. They were hardly seated when Ned came walking across the lawn, a tall, handsome figure, in a spring-like suit, his dark face lit up with a smile of pleasure. Maud looked at him, aglow with love and pride; but as he drew nearer she busied herself with the teacups, and had only a casual word of welcome to offer. It would not do to appear too glad, she told herself; and when there were so many, an individual greeting was hardly noticed, nor was there any opportunity for tête-à-tête conversation.