It was at that precise moment of all moments that Mrs Chiley, whom they had not heard coming upstairs, though she was sufficiently audible, suddenly opened the door. Mr Cavendish, as was natural, broke off in a moment with a face which had turned crimson, and even Lucilla herself felt a little annoyed and put out, when, as in duty bound, she got up to meet and welcome her old friend. One thing was fortunate, as Miss Marjoribanks afterwards reflected, that since it was to be interrupted, it had been interrupted so early, before he could have put himself in any ridiculous attitude, for example; for at such moments it is well known that some men go down upon their knees--or at least such is the ineradicable belief of womankind. If Mr Cavendish had been on his knees--though, to tell the truth, he was not a very likely subject--the position would have been much more embarrassing. But as it was, there was an end. _He_ turned back again to the window, biting his glove in the most frantic way, and taking up his hat, while _she_, always mistress of the position, advanced to the new-comer with outstretched hands. "I know you have come to have lunch with me," said Lucilla. "You are always so nice--just when I wanted you; for, of course, I dared not have asked Mr Cavendish to go downstairs if I had been all alone." "Mr Cavendish!" cried the old lady, with a little scream. "So he has really come back! I am so glad to see you. I can't tell you how glad I am to see you; and, I declare, with a beard! Oh, you need not blush for what I say. I am old enough to be both your grandmothers, and I am so glad to see you together again!" said Mrs Chiley, with an imprudent effusion of sentiment. And it may be imagined what the effect of this utterance was upon the suitor whose love-making (if he was really going to make love) was thus cut short in the bud. He coughed more than ever when he shook hands with the new-comer, and kept fast hold of his hat with that despairing grasp which is common to men in trouble. And then he kept looking at the door, as if he expected some one else to come in, or wanted to escape; and so far from following up his interrupted address by any explanatory or regretful glances, he never even looked at Lucilla, which, to be sure, struck her as odd enough. "Miss Marjoribanks is very good," he said, "and I am very glad to see you so soon after my return, Mrs Chiley--though, of course, I should have called; but I may have to go away in a day or two; and I am afraid I cannot have the pleasure of staying to lunch."