"When my father comes back you will no longer be lonely," said Lucy.
"I hope not. I feel that I want a man to look after me. I told you that
I desired to marry the Professor for his possible title and in order
to form a salon and have some amusement and power. But also I want a
companion for my old age. There is no denying," added Mrs. Jasher with
another sigh, "that I am growing old in spite of all the care I take.
I am grateful for your friendship, dear. At one time I thought that you
did not like me."
"Oh, I think we get on very well together," said Lucy somewhat
evasively, for she did not want to say that she would make the widow an
intimate friend, "and, as you know, I am quite pleased that you should
marry my step-father."
"So pleasant to think that you look at my ambition in that light," said
Mrs. Jasher, patting the girl's arm. "When does the Professor return?"
"I cannot say. He refused to fix a date. But he usually remains away
for a fortnight. I expect him back in that time, but he may come much
earlier. He will come back when the fancy takes him."
"I shall alter all that, when we are married," muttered Mrs. Jasher with
a frown. "He must be taught to be less selfish."
"I fear you will never improve him in that respect," said Lucy dryly,
and rejoined the gentlemen in time to hear Random mention the name of
Don Pedro de Gayangos.
"What is that, Sir Frank?" she asked.
Random turned toward her with his pleasant smile.
"My Spanish friend, whom I met at Genoa, is coming here to-morrow."
"With his daughter?" questioned Mrs. Jasher roguishly.
"Of course," replied the young soldier, coloring. "Donna Inez is quite
devoted to her father and never leaves him."
"She will one day, I expect," said Hope innocently, for his eyes were
on his sketch and not on Random's face, "when the husband of her choice
comes along."
"Perhaps he has come along already," tittered Mrs. Jasher significantly.
Lucy took pity on Random's confusion.
"Where will they stay?"
"At the Warrior Inn. I have engaged the best rooms in the place. I fancy
they will be comfortable there, as Mrs. Humber, the landlady, is a good
housekeeper and an excellent cook. And I don't think Don Pedro is hard
to please."
"A Spaniard, you say," remarked Archie idly. "Does he speak English?"
"Admirably--so does the daughter."
"But why does a Spaniard come to so out-of-the-way a place?" asked Mrs.
Jasher, after a pause.
"I thought I told you the other day, when we spoke of the matter,"
answered Sir Frank with surprise. "Don Pedro has come here to interview
Professor Braddock about that missing mummy."