Sheila managed at last to say, “It is Mairi come from Stornoway. I was thinking you would be surprised to see her when you came in.”
“And these preparations are for her?”
Sheila said nothing; there was that in the tone of her husband’s voice which was gradually bringing her to herself and giving her quite sufficient firmness.
“And now that this girl has come up, I suppose you mean to introduce her to all your friends; and I suppose you expect those people who are coming in half an hour to sit down at table with a kitchen-maid?”
“Mairi,” said Sheila, standing quite erect, but with her eyes cast down, “is my cousin.”
“Your cousin! Don’t be ridiculous, Sheila. You know very well that Mairi is nothing more or less than a scullery-maid; and I suppose you mean to take her out of the kitchen and introduce her to people, and expect her to sit down at table with them. Is not that so?” She did not answer, and he went on, impatiently: “Why was I not told that this girl was coming to stay at my house? Surely I have some right to know what guests you invite, that I may be able at least to ask my friends not to come near the house while they are in it.”
“That I did not tell you before—yes, that was a pity,” said Sheila, sadly and calmly. “But it will be no trouble to you. When Mrs. Lorraine comes up at two o’clock there will be luncheon for her and for her friends. She will not have to sit down with any of my relations or with me, for if they are not fit to meet her, I am not; and it is not any great matter that I do not meet her at two o’clock.”
There was no passion of any sort in the measured and sad voice, nor in the somewhat pale face and downcast eyes. Perhaps it was this composure that deceived Frank Lavender; at all events, he turned and walked out of the house, satisfied that he would not have to introduce this Highland cousin to his friends, and just as certain that Sheila would repent of her resolve and appear in the dining-room as usual.
Sheila went down stairs to the kitchen, where Mairi still stood awaiting her. She gave orders to one of the servants about having luncheon laid in the dining-room at two, and then she bade Mairi follow her up-stairs.
“Mairi,” she said, when they were alone, “I want you to put your things in your trunk at once—in five minutes, if you can; I shall be waiting for you.”