es; to London first, to be fitted out, and then to his own home. To
Bridgefield Egremont. I shall have to see Mr. Egremont,' and her voice
sank with shame. 'But Mark will be good to me, and why should I care
when I have him.'

'It is quite right. I am glad it should be so,' firmly said the old
lady.

'And yet to leave you so suddenly.'

'That can't be helped.'

'And it will only be for a little while,' she added, 'till you can make
arrangements to come to us. My dear husband says he owes you
everything. So you must be with us, or close to us.'

'My dear, it's very dear and good of you to think of it, but I must be
independent.' She put it in those words, unwilling again to speak
unguardedly before Nuttie.

'Oh, dear auntie, indeed you must! Think what you are to us, and what
you have done for us. We can't go away to be happy and prosperous and
leave you behind. Can we, Nuttie? Come and help me to get her to
promise. Do--do dearest auntie,' and she began the coaxing and
caressing natural to her, but Nuttie did not join in it, and Miss
Headworth shook her head and said gravely--

'Don't, Alice. It is of no use. I tell you once for all that my mind
is made up.'

Alice, knowing by long experience that, when her aunt spoke in that
tone, persuasion was useless, desisted, but looked at her in
consternation, with eyes swimming in tears. Nuttie understood her a
little better, and felt the prickings of distrust again.

'But, aunt, dear aunt, how can we leave you? What will you do with all
the boarders,' went on Mrs. Egremont.

'I shall see my way, my dear. Do not think about that. It is a great
thing to see you and this child receive justice.'

'And only think, after all the hard things that have been said of him,
that we should meet first at church! He would not wait and send
letters and messages by Mark. You see he came down himself the first
moment. I always knew he would. Only I am so sorry for him, that he
should have lost all those sweet years when Nuttie was a tiny child.
She must do all she can to make up to him.'

'Oh dear!' broke out Nuttie. 'It is so strange! It will be all so
strange!'

'It will be a very new life,' said her aunt, rather didactically; 'but
you must do your best to be a good daughter, and to fill your new
position, and I have no doubt you will enjoy it.'

'If I could but take all with me!' said Nuttie. 'Oh dear! whatever
will you do, Aunt Ursel? Oh mother, the