care what anyone else does. I have quite enough to do thinking of my
own.'

Mrs Shepherd did not answer. 'I see,' he said, 'you don't like moving,
but if you remain here all the trouble we have taken not to get found
out these last ten years will go for nothing. There will be more worry
and vexations, and I really don't think I could bear much more; I
believe I should go off my head.' The little man spoke in a calm, even
voice, and stroked his silky moustache gravely.

'Very well, then, my dear, I'll return to town as soon as you like--as
soon as it is convenient. I daresay you are right.'

'I'm sure I am. You have never found me giving you wrong advice yet,
have you, dear?'

Then they went down to the kitchen to eat the steak pudding; and when
the Major had finished his second helping he lit his pipe, and the
conversation turned on how they should get rid of their house, and
how much the furniture would fetch. When he had decided to sell the
furniture, and had fixed the day of their departure, Mrs Shepherd
said--

'There's one thing I have to ask you, dear, and I hope you won't
refuse my request. I should like to see Appleton Park before I leave.
I should like to go there with Nellie and see the house and the lands
that will one day belong to her.'

'I don't know how it is to be managed. If you were to meet my mother
and sisters they would be sure to suspect something at once.'

'No one will know who I am. I should like to walk about the grounds
for half an hour with the child. If I don't see Appleton now I never
shall see it.'

The Major stroked his long, silky moustache with his short, crabbed
little hand. He remembered that he had heard the carriage ordered for
two o'clock--they were all going to a tennis-party some miles distant.
Under the circumstances she might walk about the grounds without being
noticed. He did not think any of the gardeners would question her,
and, if they did, he could trust her to give an evasive answer. And
then he would like her to see the place--just to know what she thought
of it.

'Won't you say yes?' she said at last, her voice breaking the silence
sharply.

'I was just thinking, dear: they have all gone to a tennis-party
today. There'll be no one at home.'

'Well! why not today?'

'Well; I was thinking I've been lucky enough to get hold of some very
interesting information about the Websters--about their ancestor Sir
Thomas, who distinguished himself in the Peninsula