easons." And with this he stooped over her and gave her a kiss on her
forehead, to Lucy's delight, yet horror--before Williams, who looked on
approving, and the footman with the traps, and Jock and all! But what a
load it took off her breast! He was not any longer vexed or disturbed or
angry. He was indeed conciliatory and apologetic, but Lucy only saw that
he was kind.

"Poor lady," cried Lucy, "has she been travelling all night? And I am so
sorry she has been put into the east wing. If I had been at home I
should have said the blue rooms, Tom, which you know are the nicest----"

"I think they are quite comfortable, my dear," said Sir Tom, with his
usual laugh, which was half-mocking half-serious, "you may be sure they
will ask for anything they want. They are quite accustomed to making
themselves at home."

"Oh, I hope so, Tom," said Lucy, "but don't you think it would be more
polite, more respectful, if I were to go and ask if they have
everything? Mrs. Freshwater is very well you know, Tom, but the mistress
of the house----"

He gave her another little hug, and laughed again. "No," he said, "you
may be sure Madame Forno-Populo is not going to let you see her till she
has repaired all ravages. It was extremely indiscreet of me to go to the
station," he continued, still with that chuckle, leading Lucy away. "I
had forgotten all these precautions after a few years of you, Lucy. I
was received with a shriek of horror and a double veil."

Lucy looked at him with great surprise, asking: "Why? wasn't she glad to
see you?" with incipient indignation and a sense of grievance.

"Not at all," cried Sir Tom, "indeed I heard her mutter something about
English savagery. The Contessa expresses herself strongly sometimes.
Freshwater and the maid, and the excellent breakfast Williams has
ordered, knowing her ways----"

"Does Williams know her ways?" asked Lucy, wondering. There was not the
faintest gleam of suspicion in her mind; but she was surprised, and her
husband bit his lip for a moment, yet laughed still.

"He knows those sort of people," he said. "I was very much about in
society at one time you must know, Lucy, though I am such a steady old
fellow now. We knew something of most countries in these days. We were
_bien vu_, he and I, in various places. Don't tell Mrs. Williams, my
love." He laughed almost violently at this mild joke, and Lucy looked
surprised. But still no shadow came upon her simple countenance. Lucy