Soon after this ebullition, Lady Kirkaldy carried off her nephew, and
his first utterance outside the door was 'A woman like that will be
the salvation of my uncle.'

'Firstly, if you can bring them together,' said his aunt; 'and
secondly, if there is stuff enough in that pretty creature.'





CHAPTER V.
SUSPENSE.




'Where shall the traitor rest
He, the deceiver?'--SCOTT.


Poor Miss Headworth's peace of mind was utterly destroyed. That the
niece whom she had nursed back to life and happiness, and brought to
love her as a mother, should be at the mercy of a man whom she looked
on as a heartless profligate, was dreadful to her beyond measure.
And it involved Ursula's young life likewise? Could it be a duty,
after these eighteen years, to return to him? What legal rights had
he to enforce the resumption of the wife he had deserted. 'I will
consult Mr. Dutton,' said the old lady to herself; 'Mr. Dutton is the