and
the final separation could be left to the future. Meanwhile, to save
appearances somewhat, it was arranged that Mrs. Wentworth should ask
Lois Huntington to come up and spend the winter in New York, partly as
her companion and partly as governess for the children. This might stop
the mouths of some persons.

When the proposal first reached Miss Abigail, she rejected it without
hesitation; she would not hear of it. Curiously enough, Lois suddenly
appeared violently anxious to go. But following the suggestion came an
invitation from Norman's mother asking Miss Abigail to pay her a long
visit. She needed her, she said, and she asked as a favor that she
would let Lois accept her daughter-in-law's invitation. So Miss Abby
consented. "The Lawns" was shut up for the winter, and the two ladies
went up to New York.

As Norman left for the West the very day that Lois was installed, she
had no knowledge of the condition of affairs in that unhappy household,
except what Gossip whispered about her. This would have been more than
enough, but for the fact that the girl stiffened as soon as any one
approached the subject, and froze even such veterans as Mrs. Nailor.

Mrs. Wentworth was far too proud to refer to it. All Lois knew,
therefore, was that there was trouble and she was there to help tide it
over, and she meant, if she could, to make it up. Meanwhile, Mrs.
Wentworth was very kind, if formal, to her, and the children, delighted
to get rid of the former governess, whom they insisted in describing as
an "old cat," were her devoted slaves.

Yet Lois was not as contented as she had fondly expected to be.

She learned soon after her arrival that one object of her visit to New
York would be futile. She would not see Mr. Keith. He had gone
abroad.--"In pursuit of Mrs. Lancaster," said Mrs. Nailor; for Lois was
willing enough to hear all that lady had to say on this subject, and it
was a good deal. "You know, I believe she is going to marry him. She
will unless she can get a title."

"I do not believe a title would make any difference to her," said Lois,
rather sharply, glad to have any sound reason for attacking Mrs. Nailor.

"Oh, don't you believe it! She'd snap one up quick enough if she had the
chance."

"She has had a plenty of chances," asserted Lois.

"Well, it may serve Mr. Keith a good turn. He looked very low down for a
while last Spring--just after that big Creamer ball. But he had quite
perked up this Fall,