to talk to you
respecting my son, and you are the only one now living who can tell me
about him. You shall find that I am not ungrateful for what you have
done for me. In the meantime, you will stop at the King's Arms, in
Eastbury. Miss Hope will give you a note to the landlord. Come up here
to-morrow at eleven. And now I must say good-morning. I am not very
strong, and your news has shaken me a little. Will you do me the honour
of shaking hands with me? It was your hands that closed my poor boy's
eyes--that touched him last on earth; let those hands now be touched by
his mother."

Lady Chillington stood up and extended both her withered hands. The old
soldier came forward with a blush and took them respectfully, tenderly.
He bent his head and touched each of them in turn with his lips. Tears
stood in his eyes.

"God bless you, Sergeant Nicholas! You are a good man and a true
gentleman," said Lady Chillington. Then she turned and slowly left the
room.

CHAPTER XXI.

COUNSEL TAKEN WITH MR. MADGIN.

After her interview with Sergeant Nicholas, Lady Chillington dismissed
Janet for the day, and retired to her own rooms, nor was she seen out of
them till the following morning. No one was admitted to see her save
Dance. Janet, after sitting with Sister Agnes all the afternoon, went
down at dusk to the housekeeper's room.

"Whatever did you do to her ladyship this morning?" asked Dance as soon
as she entered. "She has tasted neither bit nor sup since breakfast, but
ever since that old shabby-looking fellow went away she has lain on the
sofa, staring at the wall as if there was some writing on it she was
trying to read but didn't know how. I thought she was ill, and asked her
if I should send for the doctor. She laughed at me without taking her
eyes off the wall, and bade me begone for an old fool. If there's not a
change by morning, I shall just send for the doctor without asking her
leave. Surely you and that old fellow have bewitched her ladyship
between you."

Janet in reply told Dance all that had passed at the morning's
interview, feeling quite sure that in doing so she was violating no
confidence, and that Lady Chillington herself would be the first to tell
everything to her faithful old servant as soon as she should be
sufficiently composed to do so. As a matter of course Dance was full of
wonder.

"Did you know Captain Chillington?" asked Janet, as soon as the old
dame's surprise had in some measure