la was about
to pay to Stella in London. They spoke also of a visitor of their
own, or, perhaps, rather of Adela's, who had been in the house for
a fortnight and would return to London on the morrow. This was Alice
Mutimer--no longer to be called Mrs. Rodman. Alice had lived with her
mother in Wilton Square since her recovery from the illness which for a
long time had kept her in ignorance of the double calamity fallen upon
her. It was Adela who at length told her that she had no husband, and
that her brother Richard was dead. Neither disclosure affected her
gravely. The months of mental desolation followed by physical collapse
seemed to have exhausted her powers of suffering. For several days
she kept to herself and cried a good deal, but she exhibited no bitter
grief. It soon became evident that she thought but little of the man who
had so grossly wronged her; he was quite gone from her heart Even when
she was summoned to give evidence against him in court, she did it
without much reluctance, yet also without revengeful feeling; her state
was one of enfeebled vitality, she was like a child in all the concerns
of life. Rodman went into penal servitude, but it did not distress her,
and she never again uttered his name.

Adela thought it would be a kindness to invite her to Belwick and Alice
at once accepted the invitation. Yet she was not at her ease in the
house. She appeared to have forgiven Adela, overcome by the latter's
goodness, but her nature was not of the kind to grow in liberal feeling.
Mrs. Waltham the elder she avoided as much as possible. Perhaps Letty
best succeeded in conciliating her, for Letty was homely and had the
children to help her.

'I wish I had a child,' Alice said one day when she sat alone with
Letty, and assisted in nursery duties. But at once her cheeks coloured.
'I suppose you're ashamed of me for saying that I'm not even a married
woman.'

Letty replied, as she well knew how to, very gently and with comfort.

'I wonder where she goes to when she sets off by herself,' said Mrs.
Waltham this morning. 'She seems to object to walk with any of us.'

'She always comes back in better spirits,' said Letty. 'I think the
change is doing her good.'

'But she won't be sorry to leave us, my dear, I can see that. To be sure
it was like Adela to think of having her here, but I scarcely think it
would be advisable for the visit to be repeated. She is not at home
with us. And how can it be expected?