ay. There had been something in the old woman that
impressed him as genuine, and he had no doubt that she had known and
loved our father. Nay, no one could suspect Hester of not believing in
her own story; the only question was whether the links of evidence
could be substantiated.

The next thing that happened--I can't tell which day it was--was Mrs.
Deerhurst's coming, professing to be dreadfully shocked and overcome by
my father's death, to take away Emily. She must be so much in our way.
I, who saw her first, answered only by begging to keep her--our great
comfort and the one thing that cheered and upheld my brother.

Mrs. Deerhurst looked keenly at me; and I began to wonder what she
knew, but just then came Fulk into the room, with his calm, set,
determined face. I knew he would rather speak without me, so I went
away, and only knew what he could bear to tell me afterwards.

Mrs. Deerhurst had been a great deal kinder than he expected. No doubt
she would not break the thing off while there was a shred of hope that
he was an earl; but he could not drive her to allow, in so many words,
that it must depend upon that.

He had quite made up his mind that it was not right to enjoy Emily's
presence and the comfort it gave him, unless he was secure of Mrs.
Deerhurst's permitting the engagement under his possible circumstances.

I believe he nattered himself she would, and let her deceive him with
thinking so, instead of, as we all did, seeing that what she wanted was
to secure the credit of being constant and disinterested in case he
retained his position. So, although she took Emily home, she left him
cheered and hopeful, admiring her, and believing that she so regarded
her daughter's happiness that, if he had enough to support her, she
would overlook the loss of rank and title. He went on half the evening
talking about what a remarkable woman Mrs. Deerhurst was; and, at any
rate, it cheered him up through those worst days.

Our Lupton uncles came, and were frightfully shocked and incredulous;
at least, Uncle George was. Uncle Lupton himself remembered something
of my father having told him of a former affair in America.

They would not let Jaquetta and me go to the funeral; and they were
wise, for Hester thrust herself in--but it is of no use to think about
that. Indeed, there is not much to tell about that time, and I need
not go into the investigation. It was all taken out of our hands, as
my brother ha