Nancy frowned.
"I am not ill. I hate going abroad. Mother, you have some other reason."
Mrs. Bladon laughed.
"Only for your good, darling. By the way, remember we are dining out to-night; wear your pink dress, dear."
There was no more said on either side, though more than once Miss Bladon was much tempted to reopen the argument.
Curiously enough, she did not see Lumsden again. Fate seemed to be against her, and when the day came on which she was to join Lady Forsyth at Paddington en route for Plymouth, from whence they were to sail in the Orotava, it brought to Nancy a very heavy heart.
Five minutes after she had left the house Lumsden arrived at the hall door.
"Just gone, sir. Miss Bladon's going abroad for her 'ealth, sir."
"Going abroad! What station?"
"Paddington, sir."