"Perhaps we shall know now?"
"At any rate, Maurice will enlighten us when he arrives."
Lucia came in, gliding silently through the dim light. Her quiet movement was unconscious—she would have chosen to appear more, rather than less, animated than usual. Lady Dighton came forward to meet her.
"So you walked too far this morning?" she said. "I think it was a little too bad when you knew I was coming to see you to-day."
"I did not think I should be so tired," Lucia answered, and the friendly dusk hid her blush at her own disingenuousness.
"Are you quite rested, my child?" Mrs. Costello asked anxiously.
"Yes, mamma. My head aches a little still, but it will soon be better, I dare say. I am ashamed of being so lazy."
"Where is Maurice?" said Lady Dighton. "I expected to have found him here, as he did not come in for lunch."
"Has he not been with you then? He left me at the door, and said he would come back this evening."
"He has not been with me, certainly, though he promised to be. I thought you were answerable for his absence."