"Poor soul! she always meant to leave me her money," said Lucy, with a
mournful smile. "She has never heard of the change in my fortunes. Dear
Sir Michael, I must go to her."

"To be sure you must, dearest. If she was kind to my poor girl in her
adversity, she has a claim upon her prosperity that shall never be
forgotten. Put on your bonnet, Lucy; we shall be in time to catch the
express."

"You will go with me?"

"Of course, my darling. Do you suppose I would let you go alone?"

"I was sure you would go with me," she said, thoughtfully.

"Does your friend send any address?"

"No; but she always lived at Crescent Villa, West Brompton; and no doubt
she lives there still."

There was only time for Lady Audley to hurry on her bonnet and shawl
before she heard the carriage drive round to the door, and Sir Michael
calling to her at the foot of the staircase.

Her suite of rooms, as I have said, opened one out of another, and
terminated in an octagon antechamber hung with oil-paintings. Even in
her haste she paused deliberately at the door of this room,
double-locked it, and dropped the key into her pocket. This door once
locked cut off all access to my lady's apartments.