y in which, firmly based as
it is upon an ample supply of all material goods, a seemly and
intelligent interest in things ideal and spiritual is also to be found.
Everything in the room was in its place, and had been in its place for
years. Sir James got no help from the contemplation of it.

The door opened, and Lady Lucy came quietly in. Sir James looked at her
sharply as they shook hands. She had more color than usual; but the
result was to make the face look older, and certain lines in it
disagreeably prominent. Very likely she had been crying. He hoped
she had.

"Oliver told you to expect me?"

She assented. Then, still standing, she looked at him steadily.

"This is a very terrible affair, Sir James."

"Yes. It must have been a great shock to you."

"Oh! that does not matter," she said, impatiently. "I must not think of
myself. I must think of Oliver. Will you sit down?"

She motioned him, in her stately way, to a seat. He realized, as he
faced her, that he beheld her in a new aspect. She was no longer the
gracious and smiling hostess, as her familiar friends knew her, both at
Tallyn and in London. Her manner threw a sudden light on certain
features in her history: Marsham's continued dependence on his mother
and inadequate allowance, the autocratic ability shown in the management
of the Tallyn household and estates, management in which Marsham was
allowed practically no share at all, and other traits and facts long
known to him. The gentle, scrupulous, composed woman of every day had
vanished in something far more vigorously drawn; he felt himself
confronted by a personality as strong as, and probably more stubborn
than his own.

Lady Lucy seated herself. She quietly arranged the folds of her black
satin dress; she drew forward a stool, and rested her feet upon it. Sir
James watched her, uncertain how to begin. But she saved him
the decision.

"I have had a painful interview with my son" she said, quietly. "It
could not be otherwise, and I can only hope that in a little while he
will do me justice. Oliver will join us presently. And now--first, Sir
James, let me ask you--you really believe that Miss Mallory has been
till now in ignorance of her mother's history?"

Sir James started.

"Good Heavens, Lady Lucy! Can you--do you--suppose anything else?"

Lady Lucy paused before replying.

"I cannot suppose it--since both you and my son--and Mr. Ferrier--have
so high an opinion of her. But it is a str