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Rh very bad indeed: it would add preciousness to her confidence. Her emotion made her more than usually brusque.

"Well, get on then," she said.

"I tell you, Aunt Cathie," said Lucia, "because I believe you are my friend, and would like to help me."

The pathetic old face grew more eager, and Aunt Cathie laid her hand on Lucia's arm.

"Yes, dear," she said.

"Well, look away: I can't look you in the face. What I have done is this. I went to Brayton Hall, without telling either you or Aunt Elizabeth, and left your cards. I did it because I wanted us to know Lord Brayton. I like that sort of house: I want to be asked to it. I didn't mean to tell you, and I only do so because I was in a difficulty, as you saw, to-day, and was afraid that you would say something awful to Lord Brayton. Oh, and I thank you very much for getting me out of that difficulty. It was dear of you."

The speech did not fall short of perfection. There was an entire frankness about it and absence of concealment which went straight to Aunt Cathie's heart. It was so well planned that it seemed almost brutally natural, and the confession that Lucia would not have told her had it not been for fear of worse consequences, was the most subtle part of it. It was wounding, but of the nature of a surgical wound that implies restoration. And the speech was completely successful.

Cathie's first and almost overwhelming impulse was to kiss Lucia. But there was an even kinder thing to do than that. She did it.

"Don't know London," she said, "but perhaps in London it's usual for a lady to call."

Again Lucia's instinct served her.

"No, dear Aunt Cathie," she said, "it would be quite as unheard of there as here."

Then the first impulse became quite overwhelming. Aunt Cathie drew Lucia's head down, and kissed her firmly.

"Tell me anything next time," she said, "before you're in a mess. Worse it is the better I shall like it. You don't know what it means to me. I'm an old fool, I suppose. Now what's to be done? Elizabeth will wonder why he called; about Saturday. You and I must make a plan. Just you and I. Our secret."

"You dear," said Lucia softly.