une, however, interposed. A carriage made its appearance, in the
morning, with a new arrival--an arrival no less than Lady Throckmorton
herself, bearing down upon them in actual excitement.

An untoward accident had called her friend from home, and taken her to
Caen, and there, at her earnest request, her ladyship had accompanied
her. The blunder of an awkward servant had prevented her receiving the
letters from St. Quentin, and it was only on her return to Paris that
she had learned the truth.

Intense as was her bewilderment at her protege's indiscretion, she felt
a touch of admiration, at the simple, faithful daring of the girl's
course.

"It is sufficiently out of the way for Priscilla Gower to be here, and
she is his promised wife; and Pamela is nearly thirty-two years old and
looks forty; but you, Theodora--you to run away from Paris, with no one
but a maid; to run away to nurse a man like Denis Oglethorpe. It
actually takes away my breath. My dear, innocent little simpleton, what
were you thinking about?"

It would be futile to attempt to describe her state of mind when she
discovered that Denis had not learned of Theo's presence in the house.

But, being quick-sighted, and keen of sense, she began to comprehend at
last, and it was Priscilla Gower who assisted her to a clearer state of
mind.

Two days later, when, after a visit to his patient, the little doctor
was preparing to take his departure, Priscilla Gower addressed him
suddenly, as it seemed, without the slightest regard to her ladyship's
presence.

"You think your patient improves rapidly," she said.

"Very rapidly," was the answer. "Men like him always do, mademoiselle."

She bent her head in acquiescence.

"I have a reason for asking this," she said. "Do you think he is strong
enough to bear a shock?"

"Of what description, mademoiselle? Of grief, or--or of joy?"

"Of joy, monsieur," she answered, distinctly.

"Mademoiselle," said the doctor, "joy rarely kills."

She bent her erect head again.

She had not regarded the fact of her old enemy's presence ever so
slightly while she spoke, but when the doctor was gone she addressed
her.

"I have been thinking of returning to London at once, if possible," she
said. "Miss Gower's ill-health renders any further absence a neglect. If
I go, would it be possible for you to remain here, with Miss North?"

"Pamela?" suggested Lady Throckmorton.

"Theodora," was the calm reply.

An odd silen