the honor and glory of bringing Bernard back to the Hall. Therefore she kept her seat by the window and her eyes on her book. Mrs. Gilroy tightened her thin lips and accepted defeat, for the moment. A ring at the door gave her an excuse to go. [pg 29] "It's Julius," said Lucy, peeping out. "What does he want?" asked Sir Simon, crossly. "Tell him to wait, Gilroy. I can't see him at once. Lucy, stop here, I want to speak." The housekeeper left the room to detain Mr. Beryl, and Lucy obediently resumed her seat. She was a handsome, dark girl, with rather a high color and a temper to match. But she knew when she was well off and kept her temper in check for fear of Sir Simon turning her adrift. He would have done so without scruple had it suited him. Lucy was therefore astute and assumed a meekness she was far from possessing. Mrs. Gilroy saw through her, but Lucy—as the saying goes—pulled the wool over the old man's eyes. Sir Simon took a turn up and down the room. "What about Bernard?" he asked, abruptly stopping before her. Lucy looked up with an innocent smile. "Dear Bernard!" she said. "Do you know where he is?" asked the baronet, taking no notice of the sweet smile and sweet speech. "No, he has not written to me." "But he has to that girl. You know her?" "Alice! yes, but Alice doesn't like me. She refuses to speak to me about Bernard. You see," said Lucy, pensively, "I am engaged to Julius, and as you have sent Bernard away—" [pg 30] "Julius comes in for my money, is that it?" [pg 30] "Not in my opinion," said Miss Randolph, frankly, "but Alice Malleson thinks so." "Then she thinks rightly." Lucy started at this and colored with surprise at the outspoken speech. "Since Bernard has behaved so badly, Julius shall be my heir. The one can have the title, the other the money. All the same I don't want Bernard to starve. I daresay Julius knows where he is, Lucy. Find out, and then I can send the boy something to go on with." "Oh!" said Lucy, starting to her feet and clasping her hands, "the Red Window,—I mean."
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