s so small! Three people quite filled it up. But she finished
her survey with a laugh.

"If they would only let us have less furniture!" she said. "It was all
very well as long as we had nothing better than tables and chairs to
fill up the room with; but at present--"

She finished her sentence with a little shrug, in imitation of Claudine,
which made Maurice laugh also. He proceeded, however, to warn her that
worse was in reserve.

"Louisa will come alone, to-day," he said, "because I told her Mrs.
Costello was an invalid, but you must expect that next time she will
bring her husband, and Sir John is no small person I assure you."

"When did they arrive?"

"Last night."

"How long will they stay, do you think?"

"Two or three weeks I imagine, but I know nothing positively of their
plans."

"And Maurice, tell me when you must go back to England? I do not want
our pleasant life to end just as suddenly as it began."

"Nor do I. I am not going just yet."

"But have not you quantities of affairs to attend to, you important
person?"

"My most serious affair at present is in Paris. Don't be afraid, I am
not forgetting my duties."

"Then we cannot go out to-day?"

"Put on your bonnet and come now for a walk."

"I must ask mamma, and tell her your news. She is late this morning."

Mrs. Costello had risen late since she came to Paris. Lucia found her
dressed and discussing some household affair with Claudine.

"Only think, mamma," she began. "Lady Dighton came over yesterday and is
coming to see you to-day."

But the news was no surprise to Mrs. Costello, who had received a hint
from Maurice that he wished to see his cousin and Lucia friends, before
he ventured on that decisive question to which they all, except Lucia,
were looking forward so anxiously. But she was keenly alive to the
desire that her child should make a favourable impression on this lady,
who had evidently some influence with Maurice, and who, if the
wished-for marriage took place, would become Lucia's near relative and
neighbour. She said nothing at all about this, however, and was
perfectly content that the young people should take one of those long
walks which brought such a lovely colour into her daughter's pale
cheeks, and so gave the last perfecting touch to her beauty.

Maurice left Lucia at the door, and went back to the hotel where he had
promised Lady Dighton to lunch with her. She was waiting for him,
looking more than usually