Then he breathed more freely, and said he would go and prepare
Albinia to see her sister, desiring Lucy to show Mrs. Ferrars to her
room, and to take care not to talk upon the stairs.
This, Lucy, who was in high glory, obeyed by walking upon creaking
tip-toe, apparently borrowed from her aunt, and whispering at a
wonderful rate about her eagerness to see dear, dear mamma, and the
darling little brother.
The spare room did not look expectant of guests, and felt still less
so. It struck Winifred as very like the mouth of a well, and the
paper showed patches of ancient damp. One maid was hastily laying
the fire, the other shaking out the curtains, in the endeavour to
render it habitable, and Lucy began saying, 'I must apologize. If
papa had only given us notice that we were to have the pleasure of
seeing you,' and then she dashed at the maid in all the pleasure of
authority. 'Eweretta, go and bring up Mrs. Ferrars's trunks
directly, and some water, and some towels.'
Winifred thought the greatest mercy to the hunted maid would be to
withdraw as soon as she had hastily thrown off bonnet and cloak, and
Lucy followed her into the passage, repeating that papa was so absent
and forgetful, that it was very inconvenient in making arrangements.
Whatever was ordinarily repressed in her, was repaying itself with
interest in the pleasure of acting as mistress of the house.
Mrs. Ferrars beheld Gilbert sitting listlessly on the deep window-seat
at the end of the passage, resting his head on his hand.
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