'There was no one lately, Duke, with whom circumstances caused her
mother to be so closely intimate. But even that perhaps was
unfortunate.'

'I never thought so.'

'That is a great compliment. But as to Lady Mary, will it not be
well that she should have with her, as soon as possible, someone,--
perhaps someone of her own kindred if it be possible, or, if not
that, at least one of her own kind?'

'Who is there? Whom do you mean?'

'I mean no one. It is hard, Duke, to say what I do mean, but
perhaps I had better try. There will be,--probably there have
been,--some among your friends who have regretted the great
intimacy which chance produced between me and my lost friend.
While she was with us no such feeling would have sufficed to drive
me from her. She had chosen for herself, and if others disapproved
of her choice that was nothing to me. But as regards Lady Mary, it
will better, I think, that from the beginning she should be taught
to look for friendship and guidance to those--to those who are more
naturally connected with her.'

'I was not thinking of any guidance,' said the Duke.

'Of course not. But with one so young, where there is intimacy
there will be guidance. There should be somebody with her. It was
almost the last thought that occupied her mother's mind. I could