"Good morning," broke in Mrs. Bladon, not one whit disconcerted at the unwelcome arrival of Lumsden on the scene. "Yes, Nancy is going abroad. Lucky girl, to escape cold, dreary England; and now, remember, dearest, to wrap up on the voyage, and don't stay up on deck after dinner till you get used to the chilly air. Good-bye, Frances; send me a line from Gibraltar. How I envy you! Yes, the Orotava is a fine boat. Bon voyage. Good-bye, darling."
LUMSDEN COULD ONLY SAY, "WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME YOU WERE GOING AWAY?" WHEN MRS. BLADON BROKE IN—
The train began to glide out of the station, and only a last sweet smile remained to Lumsden as Mrs. Bladon and he were left standing together on the gloomy platform. Then, when the train had passed out of sight, he swung round and faced Mrs. Bladon with a half-contemptuous smile in his dark, keen eyes.
"Well?" he said, coolly.
She laughed.
"Is it well?" she said, lightly. "You were hardly in time, were you? Nancy will have a delightful time with the Forsyths. Italy, perhaps Algiers; a charming tour away from this fog."
He threw up his head with a sudden characteristic gesture.
"Yes—of course. It was sudden, though. Why was I not told of it?"