gnes said these words. My heart
seemed to faint within me. I flung myself into her arms, and burst into
tears.

Very tenderly and lovingly, with sweet caresses and words of comfort,
did Sister Agnes strive to win me back to cheerfulness. Her efforts were
not unsuccessful, and after a time I grew calmer and recovered my
self-possession; and as soon as so much was accomplished we set out on
our return to Deepley Walls.

As we rose to go, I said, "Since you have told me so much, Sister Agnes,
will you not also tell me why I have been brought to Deepley Walls, and
why Lady Chillington has anything to do with me?"

"That is a question, dear Janet, which I cannot answer," she said. "I am
bound to Lady Chillington by a solemn promise not to reveal to you the
nature of the secret bond which has brought you under her roof. That she
has your welfare at heart you may well believe, and that it is to your
interest to please her in every possible way is equally certain. More
than this I dare not say, except there are certain pages of your
history, some of them of a very painful character, which it would not be
advisable that you should read till you shall be many years older than
you are now. Meanwhile rest assured that in Lady Chillington, however
eccentric she may seem to be, you have a firm and powerful friend; while
in me, who have neither influence nor power, you have one who simply
loves you, and prays night and day for your welfare."

"And you will never cease to love me, will you?" I said, just as we
stepped out of the forest into the high road.

She took both my hands in hers and looked me straight in the face.
"Never, while I live, Janet Hope, can I cease to love you," she said.
Then we kissed and went on our way towards Deepley Walls.

"You are to dine with her ladyship to-day, Miss Janet," said Dance the
same afternoon. "We must look out your best bib and tucker."

Dance seemed to think that a mighty honour was about to be conferred
upon me, but for my own part I would have given much to forego the
distinction. However, there was no help for it, so I submitted quietly
to having my hair dressed and to being inducted into my best frock. I
was dreadfully abashed when the footman threw open the dining-room door
and announced in a loud voice, "Miss Janet Hope."

Dinner had just been served, and her ladyship was waiting. I advanced up
the room and made my curtsey. Lady Chillington looked at me grimly,
without relaxing