ng over the arms of the chair. He put the
locket on her lap.

The portrait produced no marked effect on Mrs. Rook. Had the date
prepared her to see it? She sat looking at it--still without moving:
still without saying a word. Alban had no mercy on her. "That is the
portrait of Miss Emily's father," he said. "Does it represent the same
Mr. Brown whom you had in your mind when you asked me if Miss Emily's
father was still living?"

That question roused her. She looked up, on the instant; she answered
loudly and insolently: "No!"

"And yet," Alban persisted, "you broke down in reading the inscription:
and considering what talkative woman you are, the portrait has had a
strange effect on you--to say the least of it."

She eyed him steadily while he was speaking--and turned to Emily when he
had done. "You mentioned the heat just now, miss. The heat has overcome
me; I shall soon get right again."

The insolent futility of that excuse irritated Emily into answering
her. "You will get right again perhaps all the sooner," she said, "if
we trouble you with no more questions, and leave you to recover by
yourself."

The first change of expression which relaxed the iron tensity of the
housekeeper's face showed itself when she heard that reply. At last
there was a feeling in Mrs. Rook which openly declared itself--a feeling
of impatience to see Alban and Emily leave the room.

They left her, without a word more.

CHAPTER X. GUESSES AT THE TRUTH.

"What are we to do next? Oh, Mr. Morris, you must have seen all sorts of
people in your time--you know human nature, and I don't. Help me with a
word of advice!"

Emily forgot that he was in love with her--forgot everything, but the
effect produced by the locket on Mrs. Rook, and the vaguely alarming
conclusion to which it pointed. In the fervor of her anxiety she took
Alban's arm as familiarly as if he had been her brother. He was gentle,
he was considerate; he tried earnestly to compose her. "We can do
nothing to any good purpose," he said, "unless we begin by thinking
quietly. Pardon me for saying so--you are needlessly exciting yourself."

There was a reason for her excitement, of which he was necessarily
ignorant. Her memory of the night interview with Miss Jethro had
inevitably intensified the suspicion inspired by the conduct of Mrs.
Rook. In less than twenty-four hours, Emily had seen two women shrinking
from secret remembrances of her father--which might well be