'Lesbia is so lovely, and she is so surrounded by flatterers and
admirers,' murmured Mary, excusingly.

'Oh, my dear, if she had a heart she would not forget me, even in the
midst of her flatterers. Good-night again, Mary. Don't try to console
me. For some natures consolations and soothing suggestions are like
flowers thrown upon a granite tomb. They do just as much and just as
little good to the heart that lies under the stone. Good-night.'

Mary stooped to kiss her grandmother's forehead, and found it cold as
marble. She murmured a loving good-night, and left the mistress of
Fellside in her loneliness.

A footman would come in and light the lamps, and draw the velvet
curtains, presently, and shut out the later glories of sunset. And then
the butler himself would come and arrange the little dinner table by her
ladyship's couch, and would himself preside over the invalid's simple
dinner, which would be served exquisitely, with all that is daintiest
and most costly in Salviati glass and antique silver. Yet better the
dinner of herbs, and love and peace withal, than the choicest fare or
the most perfect service.

Before the coming of the servants and the lamps there was a pause of
silence and loneliness, an interval during which Lady Maulevrier lay
gazing at the declining orb, the lower rim of which now rested on the
edge of the hill. It seemed to grow larger and more dazzling as she
looked at it.

Suddenly she clasped her left hand across her eyes, and said aloud--