hand, and Lucia put hers frankly in it.

Just at that moment there was a stir, and Mrs. Costello called "Lucia."

CHAPTER XI.

Mrs. Costello woke up gradually from her doze. She had been dreaming of
Cacouna, and that Maurice and Lucia were sitting near her talking of his
journey to England. She opened her eyes and found herself in a strange
room which she soon recognized, but still it seemed as if part of her
dream continued, for she could hear the murmur of two voices, very low,
and could see Lucia sitting in the adjoining room and talking to
somebody. Lucia, in fact, had forgotten to keep watch.

Mrs. Costello listened for a minute. It was strangely like Maurice's
voice. She sat up, and called her daughter.

Lucia started up and came into the salon. She bent down over her
mother, and kissed her to hide her flushed face and happy eyes for a
moment.

"Are you rested, dear mamma?" she asked.

"Yes, darling. Who is there?"

"A visitor, mother, from England."

"From England? Not your cousin?"

"No, indeed. Guess again."

"Tell me. Quickly, Lucia."

"What do you say to Maurice?"

"Impossible!"

But Maurice, hearing his own name, came forward boldly.

"I have but just arrived, Mrs. Costello. I told you I should find you
out."

They looked at each other with something not unlike defiance, but
nevertheless Mrs. Costello shook hands with her guest cordially enough.
Certainly he _had_ kept his word--there might be a mistake somewhere,
and at all events, for the present moment he was here, and it was very
pleasant to see him.

So the three sat together and talked, and it seemed so natural that they
should be doing it, that what did begin to be strange and incredible was
the separation, and the various events of the past six months. But after
Claudine had come in, and Lucia had been obliged to go away "on
hospitable cares intent," to arrange with her some little addition to
the dinner which Maurice was to share with them, the newcomer took
advantage of her absence, and resolved to get as many as possible of his
difficulties over at once. He had not yet quite forgiven his faithless
ally, and he meant to make a new treaty, now that he was on the spot to
see it carried out.

"I am afraid," he began, "that my coming so unexpectedly must have
startled you a little, but I thought it was best not to write."

Mrs. Costello could not help smiling--she was quite conscious of her
tactics having been surpass