our room without stopping
for a moment to satisfy my curiosity. You will be at breakfast? I want
to see you. LOUISA."

He twisted the dainty sheet of paper round his fingers, while he slowly
recalled the events of yesterday up to the point of his last decision,
to see Lucia to-day and tell her how grievously he had been
disappointed, and what she had been and still was to him. But then came
the natural consequence of this; he would still, afterwards, have to
meet both Lucia and her mother constantly for some days, and to behave
to them just as usual. It had seemed to him already that to do so would
be difficult; now he began to think it impossible. What to do then? To
keep silence now and always, or to speak and then go away home, where he
was needed? He must lose her sweet company--sweet to him still. He
_must_ lose it, and what matter whether a few days sooner or later? It
was better to see her once again, and go.

He dressed hastily and went to the breakfast-room. Sir John always took
an early stroll, and might not yet be back; was not, in fact, and Lady
Dighton was there alone. Maurice only saw so much before he began to
speak.

"I am sorry," he said, "that you expected me last night. I came in very
tired, and went straight to bed."

"We waited dinner some time for you," Lady Dighton answered, "and you
know how punctual Sir John is; but never mind now. You are looking ill,
Maurice."

"I am quite well. I am afraid I must go back to England though. Should
you think me a barbarian if I started to-night and left you behind?"

"Is something wrong? Your father is well?"

"Quite well. But--I had letters last night. I am not certain that I must
go, only I thought you ought to know at once that I might have to do
so."

"And Lucia? What will she say?"

"I don't know. You will not tell her, please?"

"Certainly not. I do not like carrying bad news. But you will see her no
doubt before I do."

Maurice hesitated a moment, and then made boldly a request which had
been in his mind.

"I want to see her. I should like to see her this morning if I could.
Will you help me?"

"You don't generally require help for that. But I suppose the fact is,
you want to see her alone?"

"Exactly."

"I own I fancied you had settled your affairs yesterday; however, I
_can_ help you, I think. Mrs. Costello half promised to go out with me
some morning. I will go and try to carry her off to-day."

"You are always kind, Louisa. W