her own mountain? It was the trail of
the serpent of ill report. He had not confided his sacred secret to
these people, and they had thought what they pleased. Surely he had told
his mother about his wife. She would go to his mother and wait for his
return, and there she would bring her precious gift--David's little son.

Quickly she packed her few belongings and rang for a messenger, and as
she stood an instant waiting for an answer to her ring, the white-capped
nurse she had noticed in the morning passed by with the baby in her
arms. Yes, surely women of David's state did not travel about alone. Had
she not read in _Vanity Fair_ how Becky Sharp always had her maid? And
now she was in "Vanity Fair," and must be wise and not go to David's
mother unattended. Then, too, if only she had some one with her to whom
she could speak now and then, it would be better. Therefore, without
further consideration, she walked swiftly down the corridor after the
tidy nurse.

"Will you tell me, please, have you a sister?" she said. The young woman
stood still in astonishment. "Or--any friend like yourself? I--I am a
stranger from America." The look of surprise changed to one of
curiosity. "And it is right hard to go about alone with my baby, so I
thought I would ask you if you have a sister."

"Is it to the country you wish to go, ma'm?" The baby in her arms
stirred, and the nurse swayed gently back and forth to hush it.

"Yes."

"I couldn't go with you myself, ma'm--but--"

"Oh, no! I didn't mean you. I only thought if you had a sister--or a
friend, maybe, who could help me for a little while."

"I saw you this morning, ma'm, as you went out. I'll see what I can do.
What number is your room? and what name? I mustn't talk here. Mrs.
Darling is very particular."

"Oh, never mind, then." Cassandra turned away in sudden shame lest she
had not done the right thing. The nurse watched her return to her room
as swiftly as she had left it, and took note of the number.

"How very odd!" said the young woman to herself.

Cassandra felt more abashed under the round-eyed gaze of the maid than
if she had encountered the queen. Her ring for a messenger had not been
answered, and she did not know how to find her husband's country-seat.
She felt faint and weary, but did not think of hunger, nor that it was
long past the dinner-hour, and that she had eaten nothing since her
early breakfast. She only thought that she must be brave and try--try