ht have been
treated with some pity.'

'My sister was in declining health. He was very much engrossed. He
left the matter to--to others,' said Lady Kirkaldy. 'He is very sorry
now that he acquiesced in what was then thought right. He did not then
know that there had been a marriage.'

'I should have thought in that case a clergyman would have been bound
to show the more compassion.'

Lady Kirkaldy knew that the cruel silence had been chiefly the work of
the stem Puritan pitilessness of her mother, so she passed this over,
saying, 'We are all very anxious to atone, as far as possible, for what
is past, but we know little or nothing, only what my nephew Mark has
been able to gather.'

'Little Mark! Alice always talked of him with great affection. How
pleased she will be to hear of his remembering her.'

'Would you object to telling me what you know of this history?' said
Lady Kirkaldy. 'I am afraid it is very painful to you, but I think we
should understand it clearly. Please speak to me as a friend, as woman
to woman.'

'Your ladyship is very kind,' said the poor old lady. 'I have only
mentioned the subject once since we came to settle here, seventeen
years ago, but such things one cannot forget. If you will excuse me, I
have some dates that will assist my accuracy.'

She hurried away, and came back in a few moments, having evidently
dried some tears, perhaps of thankfulness, but she paused as if
reluctant to begin.

'I think your niece had no nearer relation than yourself,' said Lady
Kirkaldy, anxious to set her off and at ease.

'Oh no, or she never would have been so treated. She was an orphan. My
poor brother was a curate. He married--as young men will--on
insufficient means, his strength gave way, and he died of diphtheria
when this poor child was only two years old. Indeed, two little ones
died at the same time, and the mother married again and went to
Shanghai. She did not long live there, poor thing, and little Alice
was sent home to me. I thought I did my best for her by keeping her at
a good school. I have often wished that I had given up my situation,
and become an assistant there, so as to have her more under my own
eyes; but I fancied it important to receive a salary out of which I
could save. I am wearying your ladyship, but I can't but dwell on the
excuses for my poor child.'

'Indeed I wish to hear all the details,' was the sincere and gentle
answer.

'I had her with me ge