could remember anything, of some day finding at least one of my parents
alive, died out utterly as Sister Agnes said these words. My heart
seemed to faint within me. I flung myself into her arms, and burst into
tears.

Very tenderly and lovingly, with sweet caresses and words of comfort,
did Sister Agnes strive to win me back to cheerfulness. Her efforts were
not unsuccessful, and after a time I grew calmer and recovered my
self-possession; and as soon as so much was accomplished we set out on
our return to Deepley Walls.

As we rose to go, I said, "Since you have told me so much, Sister Agnes,
will you not also tell me why I have been brought to Deepley Walls, and
why Lady Chillington has anything to do with me?"

"That is a question, dear Janet, which I cannot answer," she said. "I am
bound to Lady Chillington by a solemn promise not to reveal to you the
nature of the secret bond which has brought you under her roof. That she
has your welfare at heart you may well believe, and that it is to your
interest to please her in every possible way is equally certain. More
than this I dare not say, except there are certain pages of your
history, some of them of a very painful character, which it would not be
advisable that you should read till you shall be many years older than
you are now. Meanwhile rest assured that in Lady Chillington, however
eccentric she may seem to be, you have a firm and powerful friend; while
in me, who have neither influence nor power, you have one who simply
loves you, and prays night and day for your welfare."

"And you will never cease to love me, will you?" I said, just as we
stepped out of the forest into the high road.