"About your new profession. Yes, I can understand that. And so you are
settled in London now? Where are you living--that is, if you are settled
yet?" In answer to this, Harry told her he had taken lodgings in
Bloomsbury Square, blushing somewhat as he named so unfashionable a
locality. Old Mrs. Burton had recommended him to the house in which he
was located, but he did not find it necessary to explain that fact to
Lady Ongar.

"I have to thank you for what you did for me," continued she. "You ran
away from me in such a hurry on that night that I was unable to speak to
you. But to tell the truth, Harry, I was in no mood then to speak to any
one. Of course you thought that I treated you ill."

"Oh, no," said he.

"Of course you did. If I thought you did not, I should be angry with you
now. But had it been to save my life I could not have helped it. Why did
not Sir Hugh Clavering come to meet me? Why did not my sister's husband
come to me?" To this question Harry could make no answer. He was still
standing with his hat in his hand, and now turned his face away from her
and shook his head.

"Sit down, Harry," said she, "and let me talk to you like a
friend--unless you are in a hurry to go away."

"Oh, no," said he, seating himself.

"Or unless you, too, are afraid of me."

"Afraid of you, Lady Ongar?"