Lady Niton had only time to give him a fierce look when the door opened, and Lady Lucy came wearily in.
Bobbie hastened to meet her.
"My dear Lady Lucy!--what news?"
"Oliver is in!"
"Hurrah!" Bobbie shook her hand vehemently. "I am glad!"
Lady Niton, controlling herself with difficulty, rose from her seat, and also offered a hand.
"There, you see, Lucy, you needn't have been so anxious."
Lady Lucy sank into a chair.
"What's the majority?" said Bobbie, astonished by her appearance and manner. "I say, you know, you've been working too hard."
"The majority is twenty-four," said Lady Lucy, coldly, as though she had rather not have been asked the question; and at the same time, leaning heavily back in her chair, she began feebly to untie the lace strings of her bonnet. Bobbie was shocked by her appearance. She had aged rapidly since he had last seen her, and, in particular, a gray shadow had overspread the pink-and-white complexion which had so long preserved her good looks.