When Cicely entered the hall she met Geneviève, who was crossing it on her way to the library.
“Have you come back alone?” she said quickly, when she saw that there was no one with her cousin.
“Oh! no; Trevor came to the park door with me,” replied Cicely. “He had to hurry back again. Have you and mother been home long?”
“Yes, a good while. You have missed some one,” said Geneviève, “Mr. Guildford has been here.”
“Oh! I am so sorry; I wanted to see him!” exclaimed Cicely. “Why would he not stay?”
“He saw my uncle,” said Geneviève shortly. “That was what he came for. I told him where you were; he left no message.”
“I didn’t expect any message,” said Cicely, not quite understanding Geneviève’s curious tone.
“Yes, you did,” answered the girl bitterly, “or you expected him to wait for the chance of seeing you. You think you are to be queen of all—if you are there no one must have a word, a glance! I have said I loved you, that you were good; but I think not so now. I love you not. You are cold and proud, and know not what love means, yet you gain all! And I—I am miserable and alone, and who cares?”
“Geneviève, you must be mad! I do not know, and I do not wish to know, what you mean. You have yielded to-day to temper till you have completely lost your reason, that is the only excuse I can make for you.”
Then Cicely walked quietly across the hall and down the passage to the library, leaving her cousin standing alone. Geneviève did not follow her. When Cicely had gone, she ran upstairs to her own room and threw herself down upon the bed, sobbing bitterly.