The girl stood holding back the curtains. As she looked at the bed her lips trembled a little.
‘I have only this moment heard of your accident,’ she said.
‘I am not hurt, my dear, so don’t distress yourself.’
‘Thank Heaven!’ exclaimed the other.
‘My patience, Cecilia, you are quite upset! What a little blockhead you are!’
For answer, Cecilia took Lady Eliza’s hand in both her own, and laid her cheek against it. She said nothing.
‘It must be almost supper-time,’ said the elder woman. ‘I will rise, for you will be waiting.’
‘May I not bring something up to your room, ma’am? I think you should lie still in bed. I am very well alone.’
‘Nonsense, child! Go downstairs, and let me get up. I suppose you think I am too old to take care of myself.’
Cecilia went out as she was bid, and took her way to the dining-room. Her face was a little troubled, for she saw that Lady Eliza was more shaken than she had been willing to admit, and she suspected the presence of some influence which she did not understand; for the two women, so widely removed in character and age, had so strong a bond of affection, that, while their minds could never meet on common ground, there was a sympathy between them apart from all individual bias.