* * * * *
They found a carriage waiting for them near the Sforza-Cesarini gate, and in it Mrs. Elliott, Reggie Brooklyn's kind sister. Lucy was taken to a doctor, and the hurt was dressed. By nine o'clock she was once more under the villa-roof. Miss Manisty received her with lamentations and enquiries, that the tottering Lucy was too weary even to hear aright. Amid what seemed to her a babel of tongues and lights and kind concern, she was taken to bed and sleep.
Mrs. Burgoyne did not attend her. She waited in Manisty's library, and when
Manisty entered the room she came forward—
'Edward, I have some disagreeable news'—
He stopped abruptly.
'Your sister Alice will be here to-morrow.'
'My sister—Alice?'—he repeated incredulously.
'She telegraphed this morning that she must see you. Aunt Pattie consulted me. The telegram gave no address—merely said that she would come to-morrow for two or three nights.'
Manisty first stared in dismay, then, thrusting his hands into his pockets, began to walk hurriedly to and fro.
'When did this news arrive?'