with a pleasant flutter of excitement to her own appearance as
bridesmaid. Mrs. Costello's letter to Mr. Strafford remained unanswered,
but from the circuitous route by which their communication now took
place that was not wonderful; rather, indeed, the fact of having heard
nothing from him seemed reassuring, and in the interval, no further
incident had occurred to disturb her tranquillity. Thus the hours that
Maurice and his father spent together at the Cottage were, to the whole
party, hours of a certain calm and peace, pleasant to recollect after
the calm had been broken.

The next day Lucia spent almost entirely at Mrs. Bellairs'. Bella drove
her home in the evening, and when she came in she found Maurice alone on
the verandah. It was quite dusk, very nearly dark--a soft, still, dewy
evening, and she could but just distinguish his figure as he moved, to
meet her.

"Is it you, Maurice?" she said. "Is mamma there?"

"Yes, and no," he answered; "Mrs. Costello is just gone in."

"How is Mr. Leigh? I have not seen him to-day."

"No; I have been at home most of the day."

"Is he worse then?" she said, alarmed.

"He is not quite so well, but nothing serious. Are you tired?"

"No, not at all. Something is the matter, Maurice. I can hear it in your
voice."