But, alas! "that fellow" showed no intention of going. He came to the
Cottage an hour or two later, not however alone, but with Mrs. Bellairs
and Bella. The former came to see Mrs. Costello, the latter had affairs
of her own with Lucia. Mr. Percy, for once, was decidedly _de trop_, but
after awhile the two girls slipped away and shut themselves up in
Lucia's bedroom. The moment the door was closed, Bella burst into a
torrent of talk.

"Oh! my dear, I was determined to come to you this morning, but I dare
say it was trouble thrown away. Have you any attention to spare from
your own affairs for your neighbours?"

"Plenty. How did you enjoy yourself last night?"

"You shall hear. It was a dull enough evening till the very end. There
was Maurice looking as black as thunder at May Anderson; and Magdalen
Scott and Harry--not flirting, they have not sense enough for that--but
making themselves ridiculous; and everybody else as usual."

"Why was Maurice looking black at May?"

"Because she was talking about you. It's not safe for anybody to talk
about you before Maurice, I can tell you. But _I_ don't want to talk
about them, but about myself. Do you know what has happened?"

"How should I till you tell me?"

"Well, you might guess; but, I suppose, since Mr. Percy came, he has
prevented you from seeing anything beyond himself."