likely when I get there I shall find my journey useless."

Somehow or other there had come to be a tolerably clear understanding,
on Lady Dighton's part, of the state of affairs between Maurice and
Lucia--she knew that Maurice was intent upon finding his old playfellow,
and winning her if possible at once. She naturally took the part of her
new favourite; and believed that if Lucia were really what he described
her, she would easily be persuaded to come to Hunsdon as its mistress;
for, of course, she knew of no other barrier between the young people
than that of Maurice's newly acquired importance. She thought Mrs.
Costello had acted in a prudent and dignified manner in wishing to
separate them; but she also thought, in rather a contradictory fashion,
that since Maurice was intent upon the marriage, he ought to have his
own way. So she was quite disposed to encourage him with auguries of
success.

"They are not likely to be in any hurry to begin a sea-voyage such
weather as this," she said, shivering. "Two ladies, even if they are
Canadians, can't make quite so light of it as you do."

"I wish you may be right," he answered; "but if I should not find them
there, I shall bring my father to England and then go off in search of
them. A pretty prospect! They may lead me all over Europe before I find
them."

Lady Dighton laughed outright.

"One would suppose that telegraphs and railways were not in existence,"
she said, "and that you had to set out, like a knight-errant, with
nothing but a horse and a sword to recover your runaway lady-love."