toleration for his uncle's ways of thinking; though, when the old man
had come home ill, dejected, and half blind, he had allowed himself
to be made useful on business matters. And thus he had discovered
the marriage, and had taken up the cause with the ardour stimulated
by a chivalrous feeling for the beautiful vision of his childhood,
whose sudden disappearance had ended his brightest days.

'I suppose it is right and generous of the young man,' said Miss
Headworth. 'But since the--the man is alive, I wish my poor Alice
could have been left at peace!'

'You forget that her daughter has rights which must be taken into
consideration.'

'Little Nuttie! Dear child! I should so far like her to be provided
for, so far as that she need not go out in the world to earn her own
livelihood. But no! better be as we are than accept anything from
that man!'

'I quite understand and respect your feeling, Miss Headworth,'
returned the lady; 'but may I return to my question whether you think
your niece has any doubt of her husband being dead.'

Miss Headworth considered. 'Since you ask me, I think she has kept
the possibility of the life before her. We have never mentioned the
subject, and, as I said, the belief in his death ended a great
suspense and sense of wounded affection. She began soon and
vigorously to turn her attention to the support of her child, and has
found a fair measure of happiness; but at the same time she has
shrunk from all notice and society, more than would be natural in so