thoughtful pause she said,

"About this Wiggins--have you ever heard any thing of him since the--the
trial?"

Miss Plympton shook her head.

"No," said she, "except from those formal business notes. You have seen
them all, and know what they are."

"Have you ever formed any opinion of him more favorable than what you
wrote in those notes?"

"I do not think that I wrote any thing more than suspicions or
surmises," said Miss Plympton; "and as far as suspicions are concerned,
I certainly have not changed my mind. The position which he occupied
during the trial, and ever since, excites my suspicions against him. All
others suffered; he alone was benefited. And now, too, when all is over,
he seems still in his old position--perhaps a better one than ever--the
agent of the estates, and assuming to some extent a guardianship over
you. At least he gives directions about you, for he says you are to go
back to Dalton Hall. But in that he shall find himself mistaken, for I
will never allow you to put yourself in his power."

"Have you ever seen him?" asked Edith.

"No."

She bent down her head, and leaned her forehead on her hand.