several weeks in England. In this interval she might have made
acquaintances. Ah, now I see; I guess. You say the name began with
B. Paulina, in my absence, engaged a companion,--a Mrs. Bertram. This
lady accompanied her abroad. Paulina became excessively attached to her,
she knew Italian so well. Mrs. Bertram left her on the road, and
returned to England, for some private affairs of her own. I forget why
or wherefore; if, indeed, I ever asked or learned. Paulina missed her
sadly, often talked of her, wondered why she never heard from her. No
doubt it was to this Mrs. Bertram that she wrote!"

"And you don't know the lady's friends, or address?"

"No."

"Nor who recommended her to your wife?"

"No."

"Probably Lady Jane Horton?"

"It may be so.

"Very likely."

"I will follow up this track, slight as it is."

"But if Mrs. Bertram received the communication, how comes it that it
never reached myself--Oh, fool that I am, how should it! I, who guarded
so carefully my incognito!"