Good-bye , I must go . '' And Lillian rode home at a pace which caused the stout groom great distress . `` Mamma , I 've seen Paul 's betrothed ! '' she cried , running into her mother 's boudoir . `` And I have seen Paul himself , '' replied my lady , with a warning look , for there he stood , with half-extended hand , as if waiting to be acknowledged . Lillian forgot her embarrassment in her pleasure , and made him an elaborate curtsy , saying , with a half-merry , half-reproachful glance , `` Mr. Talbot is welcome in whatever guise he appears . '' `` I choose to appear as Paul , then , and offer you a seat , Miss Lillian , '' he said , assuming as much of his boyish manner as he could . Lillian took it and tried to feel at ease , but the difference between the lad she remembered and the man she now saw was too great to be forgotten . `` Now tell us your adventures , and why you vanished away so mysteriously four years ago , '' she said , with a touch of the childish imperiousness in her voice , though her frank eyes fell before his . `` I was about to do so when you appeared with news concerning my cousin , '' he began . `` Your cousin ! '' exclaimed Lillian . `` Yes , Helen 's mother and my own were sisters . Both married Englishmen , both died young , leaving us to care for each other . We were like a brother and sister , and always together till I left her to serve Colonel Daventry . The death of the old priest to whom I entrusted her recalled me to Genoa , for I was then her only guardian . I meant to have taken leave of you , my lady , properly , but the consequences of that foolish trick of mine frightened me away in the most unmannerly fashion . '' `` Ah , it was you , then , in the state chamber ; I always thought so , '' and Lady Trevlyn drew a long breath of relief . `` Yes , I heard it whispered among the servants that the room was haunted , and I felt a wish to prove the truth of the story and my own courage . Hester locked me in , for fear of my sleepwalking ; but I lowered myself by a rope and then climbed in at the closet window of the state chamber .
When you came , my lady , I thought it was XXXXX , and slipped into the bed , meaning to give her a fright in return for her turning the key on me .
Daventry Englishmen Helen Hester Paul Trevlyn boudoir curtsy half-merry imperiousness