Miss Blanchet made this communication in the tone of one who is trying to seem as if it would be welcome.
"Your brother? He has come back?" Miss Grey did not like to add, "I am so sorry," but that was exactly what she would have said if she had spoken her mind.
"Yes, my dear—quite reformed and as steady as can be, and going to make a great name in London. Oh, you may trust him to this time—you may indeed."
Miss Grey's handsome and only too expressive features showed signs of profound dissatisfaction.
"I couldn't help telling him that we were going to live in London—one's brother, you know."
"Yes, one's brother," Miss Grey said with sarcastic emphasis. "They are an affectionate race, these brothers! Then he knows all about our expedition? Has he been here, Mary?"
"Oh, no, dear; but he wrote to me—such beautiful letters! Perhaps you would like to read them?"
Miss Grey was silent, and was evidently fighting some battle with herself. At last she said:
"Well, Mary dear, it can't be helped, and I dare say he won't trouble to come very often to see us. But I hope he will come as often as you like, for you might be terribly lonely. I don't care to know anybody. I mean to study human nature, not to know people."
"But you have some friends in London, and you are going to see them."