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to Lord Borrodaile, 'each time to get that crusty old Covenanter, Jean's grandfather, to allow her to stay at Bishopsmead. So it's the sadder for them to have her visit cut short.' 'Why is it cut short?' he asked. 'Because the hostess took to her bed yesterday with a chill, and her temperature was a hundred and one this afternoon.' 'Really?' said Miss Levering. 'I hadn't heard----' 'She is rather bad, I'm afraid. We are taking over another of her guests. Of course you know him--Geoffrey Stonor.' 'Taking him over?' Miss Levering repeated. 'Yes; he was originally going to Bishopsmead this week-end, but as he's been promising for ages to come here, it's been arranged that we should take him off their hands. Of course we're delighted.' Miss Levering walked on, between her two companions, looking straight in front of her. As Lady John, with a glance at her watch, quickened the pace-- 'I'm rather unhappy at what you tell me about my cousin,' said Vida. 'She's a delicate creature.' Then, as though acting on a sudden impulse, Vida paused. 'You mustn't mind, Lady John, but I shall have to go to her. Can I have a trap of some sort to take me over?' She put aside the objections with a gentle but unmistakable decision that made Lady John say-- 'I'm sure I've alarmed you more than there was the least need for. But the carriage shall wait and bring you back just as soon as you've satisfied yourself.' 'I can't tell, of course, till I've seen Mary. But may my maid be told not to unpack----' 'Not unpack!' 'In case I have to send for my things.' 'My _dear_!' Lady John stopped short for very vexation. '_Don't_ desert us! I've been so congratulating myself on having you, since I knew Geoffrey Stonor was coming.' Again she glanced nervously at her watch. 'He is due in ten minutes! John won't like it if I'm not there.' As she was about to hurry on, the other slackened pace. She seemed to be revolving some further plan. 'Why shouldn't'--she turned suddenly--'why shouldn't the dogcart take me on after dropping Mr. Farnborough at the station? Yes, that will be simplest. Mr. Farnborough!' she waved to him as the cart came in sight, 'Wait! Good-bye! Forgive my rushing off, won't you?' she called back over her shoulder, and then with that swift, light step of hers, she covered by a short cut the little distance that lay between her and the lodge gate. 'I wish I'd held my tongue,' said Lady John almost angril
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