ver, I read it, and found the letter very good-natured.
She had received a note from papa. He had 'had the impudence to forgive
_her_ for _his_ impertinence.' But for my sake she meant, notwithstanding
this aggravation, really to pardon him; and whenever she had a disengaged
week, to accept his invitation to Knowl, from whence she was resolved to
whisk me off to London, where, though I was too young to be presented at
Court and come out, I might yet--besides having the best masters and a good
excuse for getting rid of Medusa--see a great deal that would amuse and
surprise me.

'Great news, I suppose, from Lady Knollys?' said Madame, who always knew
who in the house received letters by the post, and by an intuition from
whom they came.

'Two letters--you and your papa. She is quite well, I hope?'

'Quite well, thank you, Madame.'

Some fishing questions, dropped from time to time, fared no better. And
as usual, when she was foiled even in a trifle, she became sullen and
malignant.

That night, when my father and I were alone, he suddenly closed the book he
had been reading, and said--

'I heard from Monica Knollys to-day. I always liked poor Monnie; and though
she's no witch, and very wrong-headed at times, yet now and then she does
say a thing that's worth weighing. Did she ever talk to you of a time,
Maud, when you are to be your own mistress?'

'No,' I answered, a little puzzled, and looking straight in his rugged,
kindly face.

'Well, I thought she might--she's a rattle, you know--always _was_ a
rattle, and that sort of people say whatever comes uppermost. But that's a
subject for me, and more than once, Maud, it has puzzled me.'

He sighed.

'Come with me to the study, little Maud.'

So, he carrying a candle, we crossed the lobby, and marched together
through the passage, which at night always seemed a little awesome, darkly
wainscoted, uncheered by the cross-light from the hall, which was lost at
the turn, leading us away from the frequented parts of the house to that
misshapen and lonely room about which the traditions of the nursery and the
servants' hall had had so many fearful stories to recount.

I think my father had intended making some disclosure to me on reaching
this room. If so, he changed his mind, or at least postponed his intention.

He had paused before the cabinet, respecting the key of which he had given
me so strict a charge, and I think he was going to explain himself more
fully t