Mrs. Elsmere watched the girl's beauty with evident delight, and when Meynell rose to go, and Hester with him, she timidly drew the radiant creature to her and kissed her. Hester opened her big eyes with surprise.
Catharine Elsmere sat silent a moment watching the two departing figures; then as Mary found a place in the grass beside her, she said, with some constraint:
"You walked with him from Maudeley?"
"Mr. Meynell? Yes, I found him there at tea. He was very anxious to pay his respects to you; so I brought him."
"I can't imagine why he should have thought it necessary."
Mary colored brightly and suddenly, under the vivacity of the tone. Then she slipped her hand into her mother's.
"You didn't mind, dearest? Aunt Rose likes him very much, and—and I wanted him to know you!" She smiled into her mother's eyes. "But we needn't see him anymore if—"
Mrs. Elsmere interrupted her.
"I don't wish to be rude to any friend of Aunt Rose's," she said, rather stiffly. "But there is no need we should see him, is there?"
"No," said Mary; her cheek dropped against her mother's knee, her eyes on the water. "No—not that I know of." After a moment she added with apparent inconsequence, "You mean because of his opinions?"