. The incident of the railway
station proved her to be utterly lacking in self-respect, in
feminine modesty, even if her behaviour merited no darker
description. Emmeline could now face with confidence the scene from
which she had shrunk; not only was it a duty to insist upon Miss
Derrick's departure, it would be a positive pleasure.

Louise very soon entered; she came into the room with her brightest
look, and cried gaily:

'Oh, I hope I haven't kept you waiting for me. Are you alone?'

'No. I have been out.'

'Had you the storm here? I'm not going to keep you talking; you look
tired.'

'I am rather,' said Emmeline, with reserve. She had no intention of
allowing Louise to suspect the real cause of what she was about to
say--that would have seemed to her undignified; but she could not
speak quite naturally. 'Still, I should be glad if you would sit
down for a minute.'

The girl took a chair and began to draw off her gloves. She
understood what was coming; it appeared in Emmeline's face.

'Something to say to me, Mrs. Mumford?'

'I hope you won't think me unkind. I feel obliged to ask you when
you will be able to make new arrangements.'

'You would like me to go soon?' said Louise, inspecting her
finger-nails, and speaking without irritation.

'I am sorry to say that I think it better you should leave us.
Forgive this plain speaking, Miss Derrick. It's always best to be
perfectly straightforward, isn't it?'

Whether she felt the force of this innuendo or not, Louise took it
in good part. As if the idea had only just struck her, she looked up
cheerfully.

'You're quite right, Mrs. Mumford. I'm sure you've been very kind to
me, and I've had a very pleasant time here, but it wouldn't do for
me to stay longer. May I wait over to-morrow, just till Wednesday
morning, to have an answer to a letter?'

'Certainly, if it is quite understood that there will be no delay
beyond that. There are circumstances--private matters--I don't feel
quite able to explain. But I must be sure that you will have left us
by Wednesday afternoon.'

'You may be sure of it. I will write a line and post it to-night,
for it to go as soon as possible.'

Therewith Louise stood up and, smiling, withdrew. Emmeline was both
relieved and surprised; she had not thought it possible for the girl
to conduct herself at such a juncture with such perfect propriety.
An outbreak of ill-temper, perhaps of insolence, had seemed more
than likely; at b