Thereupon they both arose, and Emmeline did her best to repress her emotion, and succeeded in forcing a smile.
“You will scold me, mamma, when you learn that I have been so foolish as to weep at a very pathetic story told me by Mildred,” she said.
“I am glad to find it is nothing serious,” replied Lady Barfleur.
“Have you come to tell us that papa has captured the gipsies?”
“No; he has not yet returned,” replied Lady Barfleur. “I came to let you know that Mrs. Calverly and Captain Danvers have gone to the garden. Perhaps you may like to join them there.”
“Shall we, Mildred?”
“By all means,” was the reply. “I shouldn't think I had been at Brackley unless I had had a stroll in the delightful old garden.”
“Don't wait for me; I'll follow,” said Lady Barfleur.
Glad to escape further questioning, the two delinquents flew down the spiral staircase, and hastened to the garden.