THE LADY OF GLYNNE.

CHAPTER I.

"Time hath, my lord, a wallet on his back,
Wherein he puts alms for oblivion."

PERHAPS a minute elapsed.

Then he said, in the same calm voice,"I know not what arrangement you have made about my boy with his mother, I hardly think she is aware who is her guest."

"It was yesterday, only yesterday that I discovered it. I thought it better to wait, to see you."

"You judged rightly, kindly. My boy is not a philosopher yet. He will have to rough

VOL. III.

B

it in the world ere he takes a sudden parting calmly."

Oh, Glynne, how cuttingly you said that, yet how instantly you saw my position, and helped me out of it!

"I cannot withhold from you, at the risk, though, of being considered impertinent, how grateful I am for the love and care you have bestowed on my boy, and all for his own sake, too, little spoilt animal. I was not aware, of course, to whom I was indebted, but allow me to say this is the first time I ever returned after an absence, that I have not had cause to regret leaving him. He would have mourned terribly, left him yesterday. I thank you from

had you my heart."

Though every word was as darts of flame scorching me, with ruddy, glancing tongues, though I shrunk and shivered with strange mortification, and feelings I disliked and hated, yet could not define them, or struggle out of the misery they gave me, yet my woman's nature recoiled from showing any more emotion than himself.

I said calmly,

"I have been living with Doctor Blaize, an old friend of my father's, for the last two years;

and when he died, I accepted a situation as nursery-governess in the south, preparatory to asking to be restored once more to you

all."

"I believe your re-appearance will cause great joy. I will take upon myself to tell Selina; her health is delicate. She mourned for you."

If I had thought or paused, all my fortitude would have given way. So I continued,― "I used to see your boy on the sands at Brighton his nurses were not good. : We became acquainted, and play-fellows. I know nothing more than that his mother came for me suddenly, and took me away with her. I was the more content to go, and less curious as to her name, because I recognised her, and hoped I had greater chance of meeting with some of you, through her means, than by staying with Mrs. Hall."

Glynne bowed his old haughty mocking bow. I drew myself up also, and said, "I presume I had better go to the Lady,' and say I must leave her."

I thought of little Neville, and shuddered. "I presume Miss Offley need be in no such hurry.'

"But she must; the Lady' ought to

know-"

"Of course I will take upon myself the task of placing you in your proper position, in this house, as a guest—

"You know, Glynne, she ought to know, I ought not to stay."-I paused embarrassed, though quite as stately as my capabilities would permit me.

"If you mean," said Glynne, in his softest voice, yet with something of reproach in it, "that my wife has anything more to learn of her husband's antecedents, when she hears the name of Miss Offley, you are mistaken. It will probably be an effort to her to recall a past tale, but in knowing your name, she knows everything. You stand in no false position under my roof."

Again the burning blushes rushed all over my face and throat.

"She will wish me to go; I must leave

Neville."

"On the contrary, I believe she will wish you

to remain. Thinking is at all times a great effort to her; yet from the little I have heard her say, I believe her first feeling, when she hears who you are, will be fear lest you should leave her."

It seemed to me all the time very wrong, I should stay in Glynne's house; but he was so indifferent, apparently so utterly callous as to the past, I could not, for very shame, give voice to my thoughts.

"I will go to her now, I believe she drives out shortly; will you allow me to send for you in case she would like to see you?"

I could only bow in assent.

Luckily I met little Neville on the stairs, coming in search of me. I think otherwise, I should have gone straight out of the house. In less than five minutes I received "the Lady's compliments, and she would be glad to speak to Miss Offley.

I went down to her. She was alone, her eyes wide open, and looking rather animated—

"Do you know, I always thought you were a lady; sit down, do. My lord said I judged very rightly about your character, it's just what it always was."