stood looking helplessly towards the open door, which she could not reach
without passing the stranger.

'I think I have the pleasure of speaking to Miss Palliser,' he said. 'Old
Mrs. Rowse told me you were here. I am Brian Wendover.'

Ida made him a little curtsey, so fluttering, so uncertain, as to have
elicited the most severe reproof from Madame Rigolette could she have
seen her pupil at this moment.

'I hope you do not mind,' she said, hesitatingly. 'Bessie and I have
roamed about the Abbey often, while you were away, and to-day I came
alone, and have been reading in the library for an hour or so.'

'I am delighted that the old house should not be quite abandoned.'

How different his tone in speaking of the Abbey from the false Brian's!
There was tenderness and pride of race in every word.

'And I hope that my return will not scare either you or Bessie away; that
you will come here as often as you feel inclined. I am something of a
recluse when I am at home.'

'You are very kind,' said Ida, moving a little way towards the door.
'Have you been to The Knoll yet?'

'I have only just come from Winchester. I landed at Hull yesterday
afternoon, and I have been travelling ever since. But I am very anxious
to see my aunts and cousins, especially Aunt Betsy. If you will allow me,
I will walk back to Kingthorpe with you.'