"I understand," he said.
"Oh, but you must not say 'I understand' with that air of knowing a great deal more than there is to understand," she said, with heat. "Mamma said it would do me much more good to go—home for a night now and then and sleep in the fresh air than for her to stay; and though I think she is a little insane on the subject of my health, still it was certainly better than that she should stay here, making herself wretched, her rest broken, and all that. You know we keep such late hours."
"I should not have thought she would have minded that."
"But what would you have thought of me if I did not mind it for her? There, John, do you see they are all going? Ah, the pictures! I wish I could have stayed with you and gone round the rooms. But it must not be to-night. Come and see me!" she said, turning round to him with a smile, and holding out her hand.
"I would gladly, Elinor—but should not I find myself in the way of your fine friends like——"
He had not the heart to finish the sentence when he met her eyes brimming full of tears.
"Not my fine friends, but my coarse friends," she said; "not friends at all, our worst enemies, I am sure."
"Nell!" cried Lady Mariamne, in her shrill voice.
"You will come and see me, John?"
"Yes," he said, "and in the meantime I will take you down-stairs, let your companions think as they please."