mitting me so familiarly to your hearth, you have given me
what I have never known before since I came to man's estate,--a glimpse
of the happy domestic life; the charm and relief to eye, heart, and
spirit which is never known but in households cheered by the face of
woman. Thus my sentiment for you and yours is indeed that of an old
friend; and in any private confidence you show me, I feel as if I were
no longer a lonely man, without kindred, without home."

Mrs. Ashleigh seemed much moved by these words, which my heart had
forced from my lips; and, after replying to me with simple unaffected
warmth of kindness, she rose, took my arm, and continued thus as we
walked slowly to and fro the lawn: "You know, perhaps, that my poor
husband left a sister, now a widow like myself, Lady Haughton."

"I remember that Mrs. Poyntz said you had such a sister-in-law, but I
never heard you mention Lady Haughton till now. Well!"

"Well, Mr. Vigors has brought me a letter from her, and it is that which
has put me out. I dare say you have not heard me speak before of Lady
Haughton, for I am ashamed to say I had almost forgotten her existence.
She is many years older than my husband was; of a very different
character. Only came once to see him after our marriage. Hurt me by
ridiculing him as a bookworm; offended him by looking a little down on
me, as a nobody without spirit and fashion, which was quite true. And,
except by a cold and unfeeling letter of formal condolence after I lost
my dear Gilbert, I have never heard from her since I have been a widow,
till to-day. But, after all, she is my poor husband's sister, and his
eldest sister, and Lilian's aunt; and, as Mr. Vigors says, 'Duty is
duty.'"

Had Mrs. Ashleigh said "Duty is torture," she could not have uttered the
maxim with more mournful and despondent resignation.

"And what does this lady require of you, which Mr. Vigors deems it your
duty to comply with?"

"Dear me! What penetration! You have guessed the exact truth. But I
think you will agree with Mr. Vigors. Certainly I have no option; yes, I
must do it."

"My penetration is in fault now. Do what? Pray explain."

"Poor Lady Haughton, six months ago, lost her only son, Sir James. Mr.
Vigors says he was a very fine young man, of whom any mother would have
been proud. I had heard he was wild; Mr. Vigors says, however, that he
was just going to reform, and marry a young lady whom his mother chose
for him, when, unluckily,