"I don't know how to apologize for Rufus," I said. "I can only think
you must be like someone he knows."
"I expect I am," she answered with delightful frankness. Then,
turning to Lady Bulstrode, she added, "I came to bring you your
change. Here it is--four pound ten." And she put down a little pile
of gold on the desk.
"Did the mare go all right?"
She nodded.
"Oh, yes, we went in and out in great style, and the children enjoyed
themselves enormously. I mustn't stop to talk now, though. I've
promised to tell them a story before dinner, and they won't go to
sleep if I disappoint them. You shall hear all about our adventures
later."
She smiled--that dear, merry smile I knew so well--and the next
moment she had gone.
There was a short pause. Then I took a deep steadying breath.
"Who is that beautiful thing?" I asked.
"That," said Lady Bulstrode with some pride, "is my governess."
"Your governess!" I repeated. "What does she teach you?"
Lady Bulstrode chuckled.
"Well, when I say my governess, I am speaking as a grandmother. She
is supposed to be looking after Alan's children, though as a matter
of fact she looks after me just as much. I don't know what I should
do without Grace."