as fear more than hope which buoyed me up. But
anyhow, it answered its purpose, for in less than three hours after I
had started I found myself before the great hall-door of Vaux Abbey.

A deep, hollow peal followed my nerveless little pull at the chain
bell-rope, and almost immediately the door opened. A grey-haired
manservant, in black livery, looked down at me in surprise.

"I wish to see Mr. Paul de Vaux!" I announced. "Is he in?"

The man hesitated. "I believe so, miss," he said doubtfully; "but he
is engaged on some important business, and has given orders that no
one is to disturb him. Lady de Vaux is at home."

"My business is with Mr. Paul de Vaux," I said. "Will you tell him
that it is some one from the Hermitage, and I think that he will see
me."

The man did not answer me in words, but motioned me to follow him. My
courage was failing me a little, and I was certainly inclined not to
look around, but nevertheless the place made an impression on me. The
great hall which we were crossing was like the interior of some richly
decorated church. The ceiling was dome-shaped, and the base of the
cupola was surrounded by stained glass windows, which cast a dim light
down upon the interior. The white stone flags were here and there
covered by Eastern rugs, thrown carelessly down, but for the most part
were bare, and as slippery as marble; so slippery that once I nearly
fell, and only saved myself by catching at an oak bench. Just as I
recovered myself, I saw the figure of a woman descending the huge
double oak staircase which terminated opposite to us. My guide paused
when he saw her, and I was also compelled to.

"Here is her ladyship!" he said.

I watched her slowly advance toward us, a fine, stately old lady,
carrying herself with unmistakable dignity, although she was forced
to lean a good deal on a gold-mounted, black ebony stick. And, as I
looked at her, I thought of Father Adrian's words: "I can break his
mother's heart;" and I leant eagerly forward in the chastened twilight
with my eyes anxiously fixed upon her. She came slowly on towards me,
and when she was a few yards away she spoke to the servant.

"Does this young lady wish to see me, Richards?"

She spoke to the man, but she looked towards me, and evidently
expected me to address her. For a moment I could not. A little gasp
of relief had quivered upon my lips, and my eyes were suddenly dim. To
look into Lady de Vaux's face, stately, calm, and ki