“Yes,” she sobbed. “I shall be better in a minute, Robert. I am a little tired, and the train shook me.”
“You should have sent me word, and I would have had a fly at the station.”
Sent him word! It was good of Robert to pretend to say that; but he knew that she wouldn’t have presumed to do it. It was that feeling on Lucy’s part that vexed him so much. Since Bird had turned out the villain that he had, Lucy acted, even to her own family, as though she had lost caste, identifying herself with her husband, and humbling herself to them. What though she was part and parcel with the fellow, as Robert said, she was not responsible for his ill-doings.
“Lean on me, Lucy. You must have a good rest.”
“Not that way,” she said at the bottom of the lane, as he was turning to the Court. “I am going to Jael Batty’s.”
“When you have had some rest and refreshment at home.”
“I cannot go to your home, Robert.”
“Indeed but you can; and will,” he answered, leading her on.
“I would rather not. Your wife may not care to receive me.”
“Come and try her.”