ikely to come to her rescue;
indeed, her mind had scarcely room for more than that one image, which
occupied her thoughts at all times.

Her captivity had lasted for a period which seemed a very long time,
though it was short enough when computed by the ordinary standard of
weeks and months, when a circumstance occurred which gave her a brief
interval of liberty. Mr. Pallinson fell a victim to some slight attack of
low fever; and his mother, who was really most devoted to this paragon of
a son, retired from the citadel in Cavendish Square for a few days in
order to nurse him. It was not that the surgeon's illness was in any way
dangerous, but the mother could not trust her darling to the care of
strangers and hirelings.

Adela Branston seemed to breathe more freely in that brief holiday.
Relieved from Mrs. Pallinson's dismal presence, life appeared brighter
and pleasanter all at once; a faint colour came back to the pale cheeks,
and the widow was even beguiled into laughter by some uncomplimentary
observations which her confidential maid ventured upon with reference to
the absent lady.

"I'm sure the house itself seems lighter and more cheerful-like without
her, ma'am," said this young person, who was of a vivacious temperament,
and upon whom the dowager's habitual dreariness had been a heavy
affliction; "and you're looking all the better already for not being
worried by her."

"Berners, you really must not say such things," Mrs. Branston exclaimed
reproachfully. "You ought to know that my cousin is most kind and
thoughtful, and does everything for the best."

"O, of course, ma'am; but some people's best is quite as bad as other
people's worst," the maid answered sharply; "and as to kindness and
thoughtfulness, Mrs. Pallinson is a great deal too kind and thoughtful, I
think; for her kindness and thoughtfulness won't allow you a moment's
rest. And then, as if anybody couldn't see through her schemes about that
precious son of hers--with his finicking affected ways!"

And at this point the vivacious Berners gave a little imitation of
Theobald Pallinson, with which liberty Adela pretended to be very much
offended, laughing at the performance nevertheless.

Mrs. Branston passed the first day of her freedom in luxurious idleness.
It was such an inexpressible relief not to hear the perpetual click of
Mrs. Pallinson's needle travelling in and out of the canvas, as that
irreproachable matron sat at her embroidery-frame,