may help me to decide, if you will tell me at what time the death of
your mother took place."

"So long ago," Emily replied, "that I can't even remember her death. I
was an infant at the time."

"And yet Mrs. Rook asked me if your 'parents' were living! One of two
things," Alban concluded. "Either there is some mystery in this matter,
which we cannot hope to penetrate at present--or Mrs. Rook may have been
speaking at random; on the chance of discovering whether you are related
to some 'Mr. Brown' whom she once knew."

"Besides," Emily added, "it's only fair to remember what a common family
name mine is, and how easily people may make mistakes. I should like
to know if my dear lost father was really in her mind when she spoke to
you. Do you think I could find it out?"

"If Mrs. Rook has any reasons for concealment, I believe you would
have no chance of finding it out--unless, indeed, you could take her by
surprise."

"In what way, Mr. Morris?"

"Only one way occurs to me just now," he said. "Do you happen to have a
miniature or a photograph of your father?"

Emily held out a handsome locket, with a monogram in diamonds, attached
to her watch chain. "I have his photograph here," she rejoined; "given
to me by my dear old aunt, in the days of her prosperity. Shall I show
it to Mrs. Rook?"

"Yes--if she happens, by good luck, to offer you an opportunity."

Impatient to try the experiment, Emily rose as he spoke. "I mustn't keep
Mrs. Rook waiting," she said.

Alban stopped her, on the point of leaving him. The confusion and
hesitation which she had already noticed began to show themselves in his
manner once more.

"Miss Emily, may I ask you a favor before you go? I am only one of the
masters employed in the school; but I don't think--let me say, I hope I
am not guilty of presumption--if I offer to be of some small service to
one of my pupils--"

There his embarrassment mastered him. He despised himself not only
for yielding to his own weakness, but for faltering like a fool in the
expression of a simple request. The next words died away on his lips.

This time, Emily understood him.

The subtle penetration which had long since led her to the discovery
of his secret--overpowered, thus far, by the absorbing interest of the
moment--now recovered its activity. In an instant, she remembered that
Alban's motive for cautioning her, in her coming intercourse with Mrs.
Rook, was not the merely friendly motive which