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Her face still reflected the innocent pleasure that Rose Flaxman's kindness had given her. It was not often that the world troubled itself much about her. Her father, however, took no notice. He sat absent and pondering, and soon he stretched out a peremptory hand and lowered the window which his daughter had raised against an east wind to protect a delicate ear and throat which had been the torment of her life. It was done with no conscious unkindness; far from it. He was merely absorbed in the planning of his campaign. The next all-important point was the selection of the Commission of Inquiry. No effort must be spared by the Church party to obtain the right men.
Meanwhile, in the drawing-room which he had left, there was silence for a moment after his departure. Then Meynell said:
"I am afraid I frightened him away. I beg your pardon, Mrs. Flaxman."
Rose laughed, and glanced at the girl sitting hidden behind the tea-table.
"Oh, I had had quite enough of Mr. Barron. Mr. Meynell, have I ever introduced you to my niece?"
"Oh, but we know each other!" said Meynell, eagerly. "We met first at Miss Puttenham's, a week ago--and since then--Miss Elsmere has been visiting a woman I know."
"Indeed?"
"A woman who lost her husband some days since--a terrible case. We are all so grateful to Miss Elsmere."
He looked toward her with a smile and a sigh; then as he saw the shy discomfort in the girl's face, he changed the subject at once.
The conversation became general. Some feeling that she could not explain to herself led Mrs. Flaxman into a closer observation of her niece Mary than usual. There was much affection between the aunt and the niece, but on Mrs. Flaxman's side, at least, not much understanding. She thought of Mary as an interesting creature, with some striking gifts--amongst them her mother's gift for goodness. But it seemed to the aunt that she was far too grave and reserved for her age; that she had been too strenuously brought up, and