ith Parlett had set her mind to working very actively
in a direction in which she had not allowed it to stray before. The
thought of Horace always brought a sense of pain and spiritual
discomfort to her, which she instinctively desired to shake off; and
in the restless whirl of London life, which left her little time for
thought of any kind, she had not much difficulty in doing so.

Now, however, she had nothing to do but to think and to become
acquainted with her new possessions, the latter occupation being a
strong stimulus to the former. There were many associations with
Horace at Kingdon Hall. It was extraordinary how many things that he
had told her in connection with this place came back to her. She
was constantly recognizing pictures or persons or names with which
he had made her familiar. The persons were, of course, the servants,
steward, tenants, and the like, for she had seen no others. Even
in walking about the lawn she had found his initials cut on trees,
and the very dogs which joined her when she would go out for her
walks had names on their collars that she knew. There was one, a
magnificent Great Dane, which bore Horace's name there as well as his
own. This dog, Comrade, she had heard Horace speak of with a special
affection.

True, Kingdon Hall had never been Horace's home, but he had grown up
with the idea that it might be, and since coming to manhood had felt
wellnigh secure that it would be. All his life he had been in the
habit of making visits here, and the impression which he had left
behind him was almost surprising to Bettina.

The place in which this impression was strongest was in the hearts of
the servants. Bettina, through Nora, had assured herself of this. The
devoted servant, who had the sole object in life of serving her
beloved mistress, had, by Bettina's orders, informed herself on this
point, and all that she gathered in the servants' hall she retailed
to Bettina in her room. Nora, like every one else, had been won by
Horace's manner and appearance, but, of course, when her mistress had
drawn off from him, she had no idea of anything but acceptance of the
changed conditions. Still, she was inwardly delighted when Bettina
explained to her how anxious she was to learn all that she could
about Mr. Horace, so that she might lose no opportunity of furthering
his interest with Lord Hurdly, and making up to him, as far as
possible, for having disappointed him in his worldly prospects by