anted to get back to it. She looked at Phillis and the
parcel a little plaintively. "Ah, just so,--a very pretty story, but
improbable,--very improbable, my dear."

"Nevertheless, it is true!" returned Phillis, so vehemently that Miss
Mewlstone's little blue eyes opened more widely. "Never mind your
book. I tell you I have business so important that nothing is of
consequence beside it. Where is Mrs. Cheyne? She must not know we are
going out."

"Going out!" repeated Miss Mewlstone, helplessly. "My dear, I never go
out after luncheon, as Magdalene knows."

"But you are going out with me," replied Phillis, promptly. "Dear Miss
Mewlstone, I know I am perplexing and worrying you; but what can I do?
Think over what I have just said,--about--about that improbable story,
as you called it; and then, you will not be so dreadfully startled.
You must come with me now to Mrs. Williams's cottage: I want you to
see her lodger."

"Her lodger!" Miss Mewlstone was fully roused now; and, indeed,
Phillis's pale face and suppressed eager tones were not without their
due effect. Had the girl taken leave of her senses? Why, the ladies at
the White House led the lives of recluses. Why should she be asked to
call upon any stranger, but especially a gentleman,--Mrs. Williams's
lodger? "My dear," she faltered, "you are very strange this
afternoon.--Magdalene and I seldom call on any one, and certainly not
on gentlemen."

"You must come with me," replied Phillis, half crying with excitement.
She found her task so difficult. Miss Mewlstone was as yielding as a
feather bed in appearance, and yet it was impossible to move her. "He
calls himself Mr. Dancy; but now he says that is not all his name: let
me whisper it in your ear, if it will not startle you too much. Think
of Mrs. Cheyne, and try and command yourself. Mrs. Williams's lodger
says that he is Herbert Cheyne,--poor Mrs. Cheyne's husband!"

XXXV.

"BARBY, DON'T YOU RECOLLECT ME?"

"I do not believe it!--stuff and nonsense! You are crazy, child, to
come to me with this trumped-up story! The man is an impostor. I will
have the police to him. For heaven's sake don't let Magdalene hear
this nonsense!"

Phillis recoiled a few steps, speechless with amazement. Miss
Mewlstone's face was crimson; her small eyes were sparkling with angry
excitement: all her softness and gentle inanity had vanished.

"Give me a bonnet,--shawl,--anything, and I will put this matter
straight in a m