"Are you sure the lady did not mean Mr. Philip?"

"No, sir; she asked for Mr. Philip first, and when I told her that he
was out, she asked for you, sir. I have shown her into the study."

"Humph! at any rate, she has come off a journey, and must be hungry.
Set another place and ask her in here."

In another moment there was a rustle of a silk dress, and a lady,
arrayed in a long cloak and with a thick veil on, was shown into the
room. Mr. Caresfoot, rising with that courteous air for which he was
remarkable, bowed and begged her to be seated, and then motioned to
the servants to leave the room.

"Madam, I am told that you wish to speak to me; might I ask whom I
have the honour of addressing?"

She, with a rapid motion, removed her hat and veil, and exposed her
sternly beautiful face to his inquiring gaze.

"Do you not know me, Mr. Caresfoot?" she said, in her foreign accent.

"Surely, yes, you are the young lady who lived with Maria, Miss von
Holtzhausen."

"That _was_ my name; it is now Hilda Caresfoot. I am your son Philip's
wife."

As this astounding news broke upon his ears, her hearer's face became