Lucia felt inclined to say, “We do not think so of all Englishmen;” but she held her tongue.  Either intentionally, or by accident, Mr. Percy had stood, during this short dialogue, in such a manner as to prevent her from following Mrs. Bellairs when she turned back from the rose-bed; and, in spite of her sauciness, she was too shy to make any effort to pass.  He moved a little now, and she had half escaped, when he said, “I have not seen a really beautiful rose in Canada till now; may I have one?”

She was obliged to go back and gather one of her pet flowers for him; then choosing another for Mrs. Bellairs, she carried it to her friend, who, by this time had reached the pony-carriage, and was just taking her seat.

Lucia gave her the rose, and then remained standing by the little gate until Bob’s head was turned towards home, when his mistress suddenly checked him.

“Oh!  Lucia,” she called out, “I had nearly forgotten; will you give Maurice a message for me?”

“Yes, if I see him,” and for the first time in her life, Lucia blushed at Maurice’s name.  But then Mr. Percy was looking at her.

“‘If you see him,’” laughed Mrs. Bellairs “tell him, please, that I want him to pay me a little visit to-morrow morning before he goes to the office.  Say that it is very important and will only detain him a few minutes.”

“Very well.”

“Mind you don’t forget.  Good-bye.”

“‘Maurice,’ ‘Maurice,’” said Lucia, pettishly to herself.  “It seems as if there was no one in the world but Maurice.”

There was an odd coincidence at that moment between Lucia’s thoughts and Mr. Percy’s; neither, however, said anything about them to their companions.

Mrs. Costello was quietly knitting, when her daughter came slowly back, up the steps of the verandah, but Lucia was too restless and dissatisfied to sit down.  She wanted something, and had not the least idea what.  At last, she began to think that staying at home all day had made her feel so cross and uncomfortable.

“Mamma, do come for a walk,” she said, putting her arm round her mother.  “Come, I am tired of the house.”

“You are tired, darling, I believe.  Remember how late you were last night.  But it is tea-time now.”

“Oh, what a nuisance!  I can go out afterwards, though.”

“Yes, I dare say Maurice will walk with you.”

“Mamma, I think I shall go to bed.”

“In the meantime sit down here and talk to me.”

She dropped down on the floor, and laid her head on her mother’s lap.

“Talk to me, mamma.  Talk about England.”