very young a widow and so attractive, more than I should have
expected from her original character. And once, when she did
apprehend symptoms of admiration, she insisted that I should tell the
history, enough, as she said, to make it plain that it was
impossible. There was one night too, when she had scarlatina, and
was a little lightheaded, only four years ago, when she talked a good
deal about his coming back; but that might have been only the old
impression on her brain, of that long watching at Dieppe. He--
Captain Egremont, does not yet know where she is?'

'No, certainly not. But I fear he must.'

'I suppose he ought,' sighed Miss Headworth; 'but in the meantime,
till we know what line he takes, surely she need not be unsettled by
the knowledge of his existence.'

'By no means. You had better act as you think best about that. But
you will not object to my nephew, her old pupil, Mark, coming to see
her? I will make him promise not to enter upon the subject.'

Miss Headworth had only time to make a sign of reluctant acquiescence
when the door opened and mother and daughter came in. Nuttie first,
eager as usual and open-mouthed, unaware that any one was there, for
Lady Kirkaldy, wishing to avoid talk and observation, had left her
carriage at the livery stables, and walked to St. Ambrose Road. The
girl, whom in a moment she classed as small, dark, and oddly like May
Egremont, stopped short at sight of a stranger; the mother would have
retreated but for Miss Headworth's nervous call 'Alice, my dear, here
is Lady Kirkaldy.'