"Mamma," she said anxiously, but with some hesitation, "I think this is need—the kind of need Maurice meant."
"Need, truly. But I do not know—"
"He would be glad to help you. And he knows all about us."
"Yes, I should not have to make long explanations to him."
Just then there was a knock at the door. Both started violently. Absurd as it was, they both expected to see Bailey himself enter. Instead, they saw Madame Everaert, her round face flushed with walking and her hands full of flowers.
"For mademoiselle," she said, laying them down on the table, and nodding and smiling good humouredly. "I have been to Rosendahl to see my goddaughter there, and she has a magnificent garden, so I brought a few flowers for mademoiselle."
Lucia thanked her, and admired the flowers, and she went away without suspecting the fright her visit had caused.
"Get your desk, Lucia," Mrs. Costello said, gasping for breath, and almost exhausted by the terrible beating of her heart, "and write a note for me."
The desk was brought and opened.