'You are wanted,' said Mr. Mohun. 'I do not think your aunt would
like Florence to go without you.'
Lily had trembled as much under her father's praise as Emily under
his blame. She did not feel as if his commendation was merited, and
longed to tell him of her faults and follies, but this was no fit
time, and she hastened to prepare for her expedition, her spirits
scarcely in time for a party of pleasure. Jane talked about the
30th, and asked questions about London, all the way to Raynham, and
both Emily and Lily were glad to join in her chatter, in hopes of
relieving their own embarrassment.
On arriving at the place of meeting they found Lady Florence watching
for them.
'I am glad you are come,' said she, 'Rotherwood will always set out
either too soon or too late, and this time it was too soon, so here
we have been full a quarter of an hour, but he does not care. There
he is, quite engrossed with his book.'
Lord Rotherwood was standing by the counter, reading so intently that
he did not see his cousins' arrival. When they entered he just
looked up, shook hands, asked after Ada, and went on reading. Lily
began looking for some books for the school, which she had long
wished for, and was now able to purchase; Emily sat down in a
melancholy, abstracted mood, and Florence and Jane stood together
talking.
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