Louisa came running in just after Mr Govan left. She glanced quickly round the room and cried 'Has he gone? Oh! I wanted so much to see him!'

 'You just missed him, I'm afraid.'

 'Why did you not call me, Lydia? You must have known that I'd want to see him. I wouldn't know he'd even been here, except that I heard his voice in the hall.'

 'I'm sorry dear. I would have sent for you, it's just we had a private matter to discuss.'

 'A private matter? I see.'

 I laughed at the dismay in her face. 'Don't look so stricken! Do you suppose you need to be jealous if me?'

 'No, of course not. That is... Well it's just lowering to think that he'd rather speak to you then...

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