Wakefield would know where you were, but I did so want to
get home to you! Please, may I take off my things; I don't want to
be such a fright when Allen comes in."
It was all very mysterious, but Elvira must be much altered indeed if
her narrative did not come out in an utterly complicated and detached
manner. She was altered certainly, for she clung most affectionately
to Mother Carey and Barbara, when they took her upstairs. She had a
little travelling-bag with her; the rest of her luggage would be sent
from the station, she supposed, for she had taken no heed to it. She
did so want to get home.
"I did feel so hungry for you, Mother Carey. Mother, Janet said you
would forgive me, and I thought if you were ever so angry, it would
be true, and that would be nicer than Lisette, and, indeed, it was
not so much my doing as Lisette's."
Whatever "it" was, Mother Carey had no hesitation in replying that
she had no doubt it was Lisette's fault.
"You see," continued Elvira, "I never meant anything but to plague
Allen a little at first. You know he had always been so tiresome and
jealous, and always teased me when I wanted any fun—-at least I
thought so, and I did want to have my swing before he called me
engaged to him again. I told Jock so, but then Lisette and Lady
Flora, and old Lady Clanmacnalty went on telling me that you knew the
money was mine all the time, and that it was only an accident that it
came out before I was married.
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