There was no company at the
house in Brook Street, and when the countess herself went out, she went
out alone. Even when she had a cab to go shopping, or to make calls, she
rarely asked Lucy to go with her; and was benevolent chiefly in this--that
if Lucy chose to walk round the square or as far as the park, her
ladyship's maid was allowed to accompany her for protection. Poor Lucy
often told herself that such a life would be unbearable, were it not for
the supreme satisfaction she had in remembering her lover. And then the
arrangement had been made only for six months. She did not feel quite
assured of her fate at the end of those six months, but she believed that
there would come to her a residence in a sort of outer garden to that
sweet Elysium in which she was to pass her life. The Elysium would be
Frank's house; and the outer garden was the deanery at Bobsborough.
Twice during the three months Lady Fawn, with two of the girls, came to
call upon her. On the first occasion she was unluckily out, taking
advantage of the protection of her ladyship's maid in getting a little
air. Lady Linlithgow had also been away, and Lady Fawn had seen no one.
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