"What do you mean?" she whispered.
But he had controlled himself instantly. He took hold of her hand and put it to his lips.
"I mean nothing," he said, "at least nothing I can tell you about at present. Are you feeling strong enough to meet Mrs. Costello? You must not frighten her, you know, as you did me."
"Did I frighten you? I am so sorry and ashamed—only, you know—Yes, I can behave well now."
He saw that she could. Her self-command had entirely returned now. Her grieving would be silent or kept for solitude henceforward. They had already passed the barrier, and in a minute would stop at the door.
"I am not coming in with you," Maurice said, "I must go on now; but I shall see you this evening."
He saw her inside the house and then drove away, while she little guessed how sore a heart he took with him.
CHAPTER XIV.
As Lucia went up the staircase, the slight stimulus of excitement which Maurice's presence had supplied, died out, and she began to be conscious of a horrible depression and sense of vacancy. She went up with a step that grew more tired and languid at every movement, till she reached the door where Claudine was having a little gossip with the concierge.