CHAPTER XX.

THE NARRATIVE OF SERGEANT NICHOLAS.


One morning when Janet had been about three weeks at Deepley Walls, she
was summoned to the door by one of the servants, and found there a tall,
thin, middle-aged man, dressed in plain clothes, and having all the
appearance of a discharged soldier.

"I have come a long way, miss," he said to Janet, carrying a finger to
his forehead, "in order to see Lady Chillington and have a little
private talk with her."

"I am afraid that her ladyship will scarcely see you, unless you can
give her some idea of the business that you have called upon."

"My name, miss, is Sergeant John Nicholas. I served formerly in India,
where I was body-servant to her ladyship's son, Captain Charles
Chillington, who died there of cholera nearly twenty years ago, and I
have something of importance to communicate."

Janet made the old soldier come in and sit down in the hall while she
took his message to Lady Chillington. Her ladyship was not yet up, but
was taking her chocolate in bed, with a faded Indian shawl thrown round
her shoulders. She began to tremble violently the moment Janet delivered
the old soldier's message, and could scarcely set down her cup and