evonshire, and (in Grandma's
eyes) a _mesalliance_ for Richard James. He lodged with the Devonshire
girl's mother when he was a medical student in London, Heppie told me
once; and even Heppie puts on superior airs with Mrs. James, whom she
considers a feckless creature. I have an idea Heppie knew the doctor
before he met his wife, and he was her One Romance; so naturally she
thinks the "James Mystery" wouldn't have happened if he had married her
instead. Of course, though, it could never have occurred to _any one_ to
marry Heppie, whereas Mrs. James must always have been a darling and
very pretty in her fluffy way. Grandma says the "James Mystery" (as it
seemed it was called in the newspapers at the time, when I was very
small) never was a mystery except for "fools or sensation-mongers." I
heard her speak those very words to poor Mrs. James, who has always
called on Grandma once a month, ever since I can remember, though
Grandma does nothing but make herself disagreeable and say things to
hurt Mrs. James feelings, knowing that her one dream of happiness is in
believing her husband still lives.

Nobody else believes this, Heppie has told me; because Doctor James had
a motive for not wishing to live, "apart from any disappointment in his
home life." After he didn't cure my father there was another case which
he was supposed not to have understood. I don't know exactly what
happened, for my questions weren't encouraged; but he operated on the
person when he ought not, or else didn't operate when he ought; anyhow
the person was a high personage, so there was trouble, and then might
have been a legal inquiry if Doctor James hadn't gone one day to
Seascale, and from there disappeared. His hat was found on the beach,
and a coat, and though his body was never recovered, all the world
except his wife felt sure he had drowned himself on purpose. As for her,
she is perfectly certain that he is alive, and she hopes to this day
that some time he will come to her, or else send for her to go to him.

He disappeared or died, or whatever it was, seventeen years ago when I
was almost a baby; and he and Mrs. James weren't so very young even
then: but because he admired what he called her "baby face," she has
always tried desperately to keep her looks that he mayn't find her
changed when (she doesn't say "if") they meet again. It is the most
pathetic thing I ever heard of, because in spite of all the troubles she
has had, enough to make h