When the last good-night had been exchanged, and Lily had turned
homeward, she felt the stillness which succeeded their farewells
almost oppressive; she started at the dark shadow of a tree which lay
across the path, and to shake off a sensation of fear which was
coming over her, she put her arm within Claude's, exclaiming, 'You
naughty boy, you will be stupid and silent, say what I will.'
'I heard enough to-night to strike me dumb,' said Claude.
For one moment Lily thought he was in jest, but the gravity of his
manner showed her that he was both grieved and displeased, and she
changed her tone as she said, 'Oh! Claude, what do you mean?'
'Do you not know?' said Claude.
'What, you mean about Eleanor?' said Lily; 'you must fall upon Miss
Jenny there--it was her doing.'
'Jane's tongue is a pest,' said Claude; 'but she was not the first to
speak evil falsely of one to whom you owe everything. Oh! Lily, I
cannot tell you how that allusion of yours sounded.'
'What allusion?' asked Lily in alarm, for she had never seen her
gentle brother so angry.
'You know,' said he.
'Indeed, I do not,' exclaimed Lily, munch frightened. 'Claude,
Claude, you must mistake, I never could have said anything so very
shocking.
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