At first he had not attributed this change to a purposed scheme of action on the part of any one; nor, indeed, had he much thought about it, although he had felt himself to be annoyed.

But as the period fixed for his departure grew near, it did occur to him as very odd that he should never hear Lucy's voice unless when she said a few words to his mother, or to her sister-in-law.

And then he made up his mind that he would speak to her before he went, and that the mystery should be explained to him.

And he carried out his purpose, calling at the parsonage on one special afternoon; and it was on the evening of the same day that his mother sang the praises of Griselda Grantly so inopportunely.
Robarts, he knew, was then absent from home, and Mrs.Robarts was with his mother down at the house, preparing lists of the poor people to be specially attended to in Lady Lufton's approaching absence.
Taking advantage of this, he walked boldly in through the parsonage garden; asked the gardener, with an indifferent voice, whether either of the ladies were at home, and then caught poor Lucy exactly on the doorstep of the house.
"Were you going in or out, Miss Robarts ?" "Well, I was going out," said Lucy; and she began to consider how best she might get quit of any prolonged encounter.
"Oh, going out, were you?
I don't know whether I may offer to--" "Well, Lord Lufton, not exactly, seeing that I am about to pay a visit to our near neighbour, Mrs.Podgens.Perhaps, you have no particular call towards Mrs.Podgens' just at present, or to her new baby ?" "And have you any very particular call that way ?" "Yes, and especially to Baby Podgens.

Baby Podgens is a real little duck--only just two days old." And Lucy, as she spoke, progressed a step or two, as though she were determined not to remain there talking on the doorstep.