She only knew that something intangible and dividing had arisen between them; and that she felt herself once more the awkward, ignorant girl beside this delicate and high-bred woman, on whose confidence and friendship she had of course no claim whatever.

Already she was conscious of a certain touch of shame when she thought of her new dresses and of Mrs.Burgoyne's share in them.

Had she been after all the mere troublesome intruder?
Her swimming head and languid spirits left her the prey of these misgivings.
Aunt Pattie met them at the head of the long flight of stone stairs which led from the garden to the first floor.

Her finger was on her lip.
'Will you come through my room ?' she said under her breath.

'Edward and Alice are in the library.' So they made a round--every room almost in the apartment communicating with every other--and thus reached Aunt Pattie's sitting-room and the salon.
Lucy sat shivering beside the wood-fire in Aunt Pattie's room, which Miss Manisty had lit as soon as she set eyes upon her; while the two other ladies murmured to each other in the salon.
The rich wild light from the Campagna flooded the room; the day sank rapidly and a strange hush crept through the apartment.