“I’m sure I’m very sorry. Philippa, my dear, I must apologize.” She held out her hand to Cecily. “And I’m quite sure neither of you young people will bear me any malice,” she added, looking from one to another. “You, my dear Cecily, will certainly appreciate the motive.”
“Perfectly,” said Cecily, gravely. “Rose, do you mind going to the door with Lady Wilmot?”
CHAPTER XXV
WHEN the door closed, Cecily, without a glance at Philippa, who stood motionless just within the room, crossed blindly to the window, and stood looking out. Half consciously she noticed the cathedral tower against the sky. The sight of it reminded her of her struggles for peace and freedom, their slow attainment, her hardly won serenity. Disgust filled her mind. It was for this, then, that she had abandoned Dick, and hurried back hundreds of miles to a man who was ready to subject her once more to insult. She smiled to herself disdainfully at the thought of Rose’s credulity, of her own emotional tenderness. The door-bell rang suddenly. A moment, and she heard a man’s footstep, and a man’s voice. It was Dick! Rose was asking him into the dining-room, where she herself was sitting.
Involuntarily Cecily turned—her one instinct to go to him. Through her mind darted possibilities. She had taken no irrevocable step—nothing was yet too late. As she turned, her eyes fell upon Philippa, whose presence she had forgotten. She was still standing, waiting till Cecily should move, and, as for the second time her eyes met Cecily’s, she was struck afresh by their desperate appeal. Well as she knew, and contemptuous as she was, of all Philippa’s posing, this new look of hers was genuine. It served to stay her steps.
Philippa made a hesitating movement towards her.
“Oh, it was noble of you,” she whispered.
The familiar word jarred upon Cecily. She frowned impatiently.
“Shall we leave nobility out of our conversation?” she asked. “I’m rather tired of it. Will you sit down?”
Philippa complied, and after a moment Cecily too sat down at some little distance. For an interval there was silence.