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Dame Lilias heard with joy that the Countess of Salisbury was actually in the castle, and in a few moments more she was in the great hall, in the arms of the sweet Countess Alice of her youth, who, middle-aged as she was, with all her youthful impulsiveness had not waited for the grand and formal greeting bestowed on the princesses by her stately young sister-in-law, the Duchess of York.
She thought she did great things in undertaking those tasks of Phyllis's which Emily most disliked. But Lilias was neither patient nor humble enough to be a good teacher, though she could explain difficult rules in a sensible way.
Poor body! she must carry a sore heart about with her, for all she looks so quiet and contented like." Lilias sighed. The same thought had come into her own mind many and many a time within the last few months. "Did my cousin Hugh do anything so very bad?" she asked, looking anxiously into Mrs Stirling's face.
As they passed hand in hand down the avenue of drooping elms that led from the portal of Lilias Fay's paternal mansion they seemed to glance like winged creatures through the strips of sunshine, and to scatter brightness where the deep shadows fell.
Sometimes he read to them from his favourite books; but oftener they talked, and Archie heard many a legend of the countryside from the lips that could tell them best. His father and grandfather were well remembered by many whom they had befriended in time of need; and the lad listened with delight to their praises, and with equal delight repeated them to his aunt and Lilias when he came home.
Once, in Lilias' absence from the cottage, she collected and carried off the used linen of the family which had been accumulating for weeks, and quite resented the child's exclamation of surprise and gratitude when she brought them back done up in her very best style. "She had done it to please herself, as the most of folks do favours; and there need be no such ado made about it.
'We have had an accident, said Emily, 'but I hope it is nothing very serious, only poor Ada is a sad figure. In another moment Mr. Mohun and Eleanor were on the way to the nursery; Lilias was following, but she recollected that a general rush into a sickroom was not desirable, and therefore paused and came back to the hall. The worst was over with Phyllis when the confession had been made.
I had set my whole desires on one point, God knows, with no selfish purpose; and I am justly punished by this final termination of my views, for having been too little scrupulous in the means by which I pursued them. Niece, farewell, and may God bless you also! 'No, sir, said Lilias, seizing his hand eagerly.
He needs your help!" But Lilias only sobbed the louder, making no attempt to give the desired comfort, and Ned said sadly "I ask no more from you at present, Lilias, than a fair judgment. Maud has given me her sympathy and encouragement, but that seems too much to hope for from you. Try to believe, if possible, that I was not indifferent to your interests.
Clifford, however, who was a budding naturalist, and most keen on collecting, was highly disgusted. "I want my boxes to-day!" he wailed. "I've no place to put my caterpillars when I find them. They crawl out of the old boxes. Why shouldn't Carmel make me some? I know hers would be beauties." "Lilias will make you some nicer ones to-morrow," urged his cousin.
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