Bessie, touched to the heart by this little display of feeling, went softly out of the room, and left the mother and child together.
CHAPTER XXIII.
MRS. SEFTON HAS ANOTHER VISITOR.
It was impossible for Neville Sinclair to tear himself away from Brighton for another twenty-four hours, so he telegraphed to his mother and made arrangements to take another day’s holiday. He settled this before he slept that night, and presented himself at Glenyan Mansions long before the late breakfast was over. He and Bessie exchanged an amused glance as they shook hands, which was instantly detected by Edna, and she at once insisted on an explanation.
Mr. Sinclair laughed mischievously.
“The fact is,” he said, “Miss Lambert and I have met before this morning;” which was the truth, for Bessie had encountered him coming out of his hotel, and they had spent a pleasant hour together talking about many things; and this conversation had raised Mr. Sinclair very much in Bessie’s estimation, and her interest was warmly reciprocated.
“You have never had a friend I liked so well as I do Miss Lambert,” he said, as he and Edna were walking together. “She is a genuine girl—absolutely true, and without any pretense or nonsense.”
“Daisy is a dear little thing, and I am as fond of her as possible. I am so glad you like her, Neville,” and Edna looked very pleased.
Mr. Sinclair left on the following morning, and in the afternoon Miss Shelton arrived. She was a pleasant-looking woman, with a tranquil face and silvery-gray hair, and Bessie was prepossessed in her favor at once. She was evidently warmly attached to her old pupil, and the news of her reconciliation with her lover filled her with unbounded satisfaction, and her congratulations were very hearty.