months Lady Fawn, with two of the girls, came
to call upon her. On the first occasion she was unluckily out, taking
advantage of the protection of her ladyship's maid in getting a
little air. Lady Linlithgow had also been away, and Lady Fawn had
seen no one. Afterwards, both Lucy and her ladyship were found at
home, and Lady Fawn was full of graciousness and affection. "I
daresay you've got something to say to each other," said Lady
Linlithgow, "and I'll go away."

"Pray don't let us disturb you," said Lady Fawn.

"You'd only abuse me if I didn't," said Lady Linlithgow.

As soon as she was gone Lucy rushed into her friend's arms.

"It is so nice to see you again."

"Yes, my dear, isn't it? I did come before, you know."

"You have been so good to me! To see you again is like the violets
and primroses." She was crouching close to Lady Fawn, with her hand
in that of her friend Lydia. "I haven't a word to say against Lady
Linlithgow, but it is like winter here, after dear Richmond."

"Well;--we think we're prettier at Richmond," said Lady Fawn.

"There were such hundreds of things to do there," said Lucy. "After
all, what a comfort it is to have things to do."

"Why did you come away?" said Lydia.

"Oh, I was obliged. You mustn't scold me now that you have come to
see me."

There were a hundred things to be said about Fawn Court and the
children, and a hundred more things about Lady Linlithgow and Bruton
Street. Then, at last, Lady Fawn asked the one important question.
"And now, my dear, what about Mr. Greystock?"

"Oh,--I don't know;--nothing particular, Lady Fawn. It's just as it
was, and I am--quite satisfied."

"You see him sometimes?"

"No, never. I have not seen him since the last time he came down to
Richmond. Lady Linlithgow doesn't allow--followers." There was a
pleasant little spark of laughter in Lucy's eye as she said this,
which would have told to any bystander the whole story of the
affection which existed between her and Lady Fawn.

"That's very ill-natured," said Lydia.

"And he's a sort of cousin, too," said Lady Fawn.

"That's just the reason why," said Lucy, explaining. "Of course, Lady
Linlithgow thinks that her sister's nephew can do better than marry
her companion. It's a matter of course she should think so. What I am
most afraid of is that the dean and Mrs. Greystock should think so
too."

No doubt the dean and Mrs. Greystock would think so;--Lady Fawn
was very sure of that.