“I hope,” he began at once, “you have reconsidered your decision, but you understand that now, in my present trouble, I cannot possibly dispense with your—” he seemed about to finish the phrase in a conventional way and say “services”, but changed his mind ungraciously and added, “friendship.”
“I hope you will not have to dispense with my friendship, Theo,” replied Lucius quietly. “But I have not changed my mind about leaving Leppard Hall. First, how is Laura’s health?”
“Laura is much restored; it was nothing but the prank of a foolish girl. I suppose she wanted to attract attention to herself, to become a melodramatic or romantical figure.” Lucius Delaunay interrupted sternly.
“You do not think, do you, Theo, that she threw herself in the river?”
“Threw herself in! No, of course not!
