She was a very pleasant, natural sort of
talker, and she always treated me as an old friend. But she seemed
to me, that night, a little less satisfied than usual with life.
Perhaps it was merely the effect of the black lace dress which she
wore, but I fancied her paler and thinner, and somehow she seemed
all eyes.
"Where is Lawrence now?" I asked, as we went down to the dining-
room.
"He is stationed at Dover," she replied. "He was up here for a few
hours yesterday; he came to say good-bye to me, for I am going to
Bath next Monday with my father, who has been very rheumatic lately-
-and you know Bath is coming into fashion again, all the doctors
recommend it."
"Major Vaughan is there," I said, "and has found the waters very
good, I believe; any day, at twelve o'clock, you may see him getting
out of his chair and going into the Pump Room on Derrick's arm. I
often wonder what outsiders think of them. It isn't often, is it,
that one sees a son absolutely giving up his life to his invalid
father?"
She looked a little startled.
"I wish Lawrence could be more with Major Vaughan," she said; "for
he is his father's favourite.
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