"Percival! I beg your pardon. I believe I was thinking of—of your brother, and I really did not know you in the uncertain light. We don't have the rooms lighted early," she added, with a little laugh.
He took her hands in his. Now that she knew him, and the alarm was over, she seemed really pleased to see him: the dark eyes were raised to his with a frank smile.
"May I take a cousin's greeting, Maude?"
Without waiting for yes or no, he stooped and took the kiss. Maude flung his hands away. He should have left out the "cousin," or not have taken the kiss.
He went and stood with his elbow on the mantelpiece, soberly, as if he had only kissed a sister. Maude sat down again.
"Why did you not send us word you were coming?" she asked.
"There was no necessity for it. And I only made my mind up this morning."
"What a long time you have been away! I thought you went for a week."
"I did not get my business over very quickly; and waited afterwards to see Thomas Carr, who was out of town. The Ashtons were away, you know; so I had no inducement to hurry back again."
"Very complimentary to her. Who's Thomas Carr?" asked Maude.