Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/142

 CHAPTER XIV.

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.

The two following days passed peacefully over. Prudence told her carefully-concocted story to Mrs. Wilcox, and said she would probably follow her sister in a fortnight. She despatched a great box, avowedly for the use of Augusta, to Paddington Station, and left it at the cloak-room to be kept till called for. She took every precaution that suggested itself to her, and even contemplated announcing at table the receipt of a letter from her sister declaring she was enjoying the fine sea air.

In fact, she felt she was beginning to lie with an aplomb that at once frightened and delighted her, but was accompanied by twinges of conscience. Many tears she shed in secret over the deception she was forced to practise.

The interest and excitement about Miss Semaphore had already abated somewhat.