'
This was very distressing, but still Claude scarcely thought it
accounted for the change that had taken place in Lilias. Her cheek
was pale, her eye heavy, her voice had lost its merry tone; Claude
knew that she had had much to grieve her, but he was as yet far from
suspecting how she was overworked and harassed. He spoke of
Eleanor's return, and she did not brighten; she smiled sadly at his
attempts to cheer her, and he became more and more anxious about her.
He was not long in discovering what was the matter.
The second day after his return Robert told them at the churchyard
gate that Tom Naylor was beginning to mend, and this seemed to be a
great comfort to Lily, who walked home with a blither step than
usual. Claude betook himself to the study, and saw no more of his
sisters till two o'clock, when Lily appeared, with the languid,
dejected look which she had lately worn, and seemed to find it quite
an effort to keep the tears out of her eyes. Ada and Phyllis were in
very high spirits, because they were going to Raynham with Emily and
Jane, and at every speech of Ada's Lily looked more grieved. After
the Raynham party were gone Claude began to look for Lily.
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