Long as the distance was she ordinarily
rode it all, but on this occasion she had provided a carriage to
bring her over as much of the journey as it was practicable for her
to perform on wheels. As soon as she reached her own hall door she
asked if Mr. Cumming was at home. "Yes," the servant said. "He was
in the small book-room, at the back of the house, up stairs."
Silently, as if afraid of being heard, she stepped up her own stairs
into her own drawing-room; and very silently she was followed by a
pair of feet lighter and smaller than her own.
Miss Jack was usually somewhat of a despot in her own house, but
there was nothing despotic about her now as she peered into the book-
room. This she did with her bonnet still on, looking round the half-
opened door as though she were afraid to disturb her nephew, he sat
at the window looking out into the verandah which ran behind the
house, so intent on his thoughts that he did not hear her.
"Maurice," she said, "can I come in?"
"Come in? oh yes, of course;" and he turned round sharply at her. "I
tell you what, aunt; I am not well here and I cannot stay out the
session.
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