int the way to
Gwendolen's present whereabouts and they may not. But they shall be
given every chance."

"Whoop! get up! get up!" broke in a childish voice from the upper
landing.

"Am I not right?" I asked.

"Always; only I am sorry for Mrs. Ocumpaugh. May I tell you--" as I laid
my hand upon the outer door-knob--"just how to approach her?"

"Certainly, if you will be so good."

"I would not ask for Miss Porter. Ask for Celia; she is Mrs. Ocumpaugh's
special maid. Let her carry your message--if you feel that it will do
any good to disturb her."

"Thank you; the recommendation is valuable. Good morning, Mrs. Carew. I
may not see you again; may I wish you a safe journey?"

"Certainly; are we not almost friends?"

Why did I not make my bow and go? There was nothing more to be said--at
least by me. Was I held by something in her manner? Doubtless, for while
I was thus reasoning with myself she followed me out on to the porch,
and with some remark as to the beauty of the morning, led me to an
opening in the vines, whence a fine view could be caught of the river.

But it was not for the view she had brought me there. This was evident
enough from her manner, and soon she paused in her observations on the
beauties of nature, and with a strange ringing emphasis for which I was
not altogether prepared, remarked with feeling:

"I may be making a mistake--I was always an unconventional woman--but I
think you ought to know something of Mrs. Ocumpaugh's private history
before you see her. It is not a common one--at least it has its romantic
elements--and an acquaintance with some of its features is almost
necessary to you if you expect to approach her on so delicate a matter
with any hope of success. But perhaps you are better informed on this
subject than I supposed? Detectives are a mine of secret intelligence, I
am told; possibly you have already learned from some other source the
story of her marriage and homecoming to Homewood and the peculiar
circumstances of her early married life?"

"No," I disclaimed in great relief, and I have no doubt with unnecessary
vivacity. "On the contrary, I have never heard anything said in regard
to it."

"Would you like to? Men have not the curiosity of women, and I do not
wish to bore you, but--I see that I shall not do that," she exclaimed.
"Sit down, Mr. Trevitt; I shall not detain you long; I have not much
time myself."

As she sank into a chair in saying this, I had no alter