Dance. Janet, after sitting with Sister Agnes all the afternoon, went
down at dusk to the housekeeper's room.

"Whatever did you do to her ladyship this morning?" asked Dance as soon
as she entered. "She has tasted neither bit nor sup since breakfast, but
ever since that old shabby-looking fellow went away she has lain on the
sofa, staring at the wall as if there was some writing on it she was
trying to read but didn't know how. I thought she was ill, and asked her
if I should send for the doctor. She laughed at me without taking her
eyes off the wall, and bade me begone for an old fool. If there's not a
change by morning, I shall just send for the doctor without asking her
leave. Surely you and that old fellow have bewitched her ladyship
between you."

Janet in reply told Dance all that had passed at the morning's
interview, feeling quite sure that in doing so she was violating no
confidence, and that Lady Chillington herself would be the first to tell
everything to her faithful old servant as soon as she should be
sufficiently composed to do so. As a matter of course Dance was full of
wonder.

"Did you know Captain Chillington?" asked Janet, as soon as the old
dame's surprise had in some measure toned itself down.

"Did I know curly-pated, black-eyed Master Charley?" asked the old
woman. "Ay--who better? These arms, withered and yellow now, then plump
and strong, held him before he had been an hour in the world. The day he
left England I went with her ladyship to see him aboard ship. As he
shook me by the hand for the last time he said, 'You will never leave my
mother, will you, Dance?' And I said, 'Never, while I live, dear Master