d; and so deeply was she
absorbed by the struggle which was going on in her mind that she did not
notice the feeble wailing sound which ever and anon came towards her on
the silent night air. But, at last, a louder cry than before disturbed
her quiet reverie, and startled her into attention.

It seemed to be close at hand--a cry like that of a little child; and
she stood up and peered into the shadow behind her. She could see
nothing, but the wailing came again, and Lettice groped her way across
the flower border, and stood by the low garden wall.

There was just enough light to enable her to distinguish the form of a
woman, crouching on the rank grass in what used to be Mrs. Harrington's
garden, and vainly attempting to soothe the baby which she held in her
arms.

It was too dark to see the woman's features, or to judge if she were in
much distress, but Lettice could not be satisfied to leave her where she
was.

"Who are you?" she asked; and, at the sound of her voice the little
child was hushed, as though it knew that a friend was near. But the
mother did not answer.

"What do you want? Why are you sitting there? Have you no home?"

A very weak "No" reached her straining ears.

"Can you walk? Come here, if you can."

The figure did not move.

"Then I must get over the wall and come to you."

She was beginning to do as she had said, when the other slowly rose to
her feet, and drew unwillingly a step nearer.

"Come," said Lettice, kindly, but firmly. She felt that this was a woman
over whom it would not be hard to exercise authority.

Gradually the mother approached, with her baby in her arms, until she
was within half-a-dozen yards of the wall. Then she leaned against the
trunk of an old apple-tree, and would not come any further.

"Are you ill?" said Lettice, gently.

Again the half-heard "No," but this time accompanied by a sob.

"Then why are you out at this time, and with your poor little baby, too?
Have you walked far to-day?"

"From Thorley."

"Do you live at Thorley?"

"Not now."

"Where do you come from?"

"London."

"Let me see your baby. Is it hungry, or cold? Why do you keep so far
away from me? and why are you crying? Oh, Milly, Milly! Is it you? Dear
child, come to me!"

Then the girl came from amongst the branches of the tree, and tottered
to the wall, and laid her child in the arms stretched out to receive it.

"Why did you not come to the door, Milly, instead of waiting ou