maid to your[52] room, and I strongly advise you to go there immediately without waiting for Lady Frederica’s return. I will explain everything to her.”

[52]

Sydney was only too glad to go. “Thank you very much,” she said, holding out her hand to Mr. Fenton. He watched her go slowly up the wide staircase before returning to the drawing-room, where he was joined in a minute by Lady Frederica.

“Went to sleep while you were talking to her, did she?” she laughed. “Dear me, Mr. Fenton, how abominably prosy you must have been! Oh, it was before you came in from the dining-room, was it? Fancy the child finding us so wearying, even in our absence! I must tell St. Quentin that: it will make him shriek!”

But when she had tripped back into the library where her nephew, his brows drawn very close together, was endeavouring to read, Lord St. Quentin did not seem to find the information she had come to bring him so particularly funny.

“Poor little girl!” was all he said.

[53]

[53]

CHAPTER V THE FIRST MORNING

THE FIRST MORNING

Bright sunshine greeted Sydney when she awoke on the first morning in her new home.

It fell softly through the shading blinds upon the dainty fittings of her luxurious room, and on Ward, as she stood beside her with a tray, containing a fairy-like tea-set for one.

“Oh, what is the time?” cried poor Sydney in dismay. Surely she had overslept herself, and Ward was bringing her a rather unsubstantial breakfast in bed!

“Eight o’clock, ma’am,” the maid answered softly, placing the tray on a little table by her bedside. “Would you wish me to draw the blinds up, or shall I leave them down till you get up?”

“What time is breakfast?” Sydney asked.

“Lady Frederica breakfasts in her bedroom, Miss Lisle,” said Ward; “and so of course does his lordship since his accident. Mr. Fenton commonly likes his about ten o’clock[54] when staying here, I have heard. He breakfasts downstairs. Lady Frederica thought you would wish to take yours in bed.”

[54]

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