husband seated himself beside Lady Treherne, she lifted her head with a
long breath, and a singular expression of relief, as if a burden was
removed, and for the time being she was free. Sir Jasper was at her
side, and as she listened, her eye glanced from face to face.

"Who is with you now?" she asked, in a low, mellow voice that was
full of music.

"My sister and my cousin are yonder. You may remember Tavia as a child,
she is little more now. Maurice is an invalid, but the finest fellow
breathing."

"I understand," and Mrs. Snowdon's eyes softened with a sudden
glance of pity for one cousin and admiration for the other, for she
knew the facts.

"Major Royston, my father's friend, and Frank Annon, my own. Do you know
him?" asked Sir Jasper.

"No."

"Then allow me to make him happy by presenting him, may I?"

"Not now. I'd rather see your cousin."

"Thanks, you are very kind. I'll bring him over."

"Stay, let me go to him," began the lady, with more feeling in face and
voice than one would believe her capable of showing.