he. "You will always be my
own dear old nurse."

Mrs. Hart looked up with a smile of ecstasy.

"I am going away," said Lord Chetwynde, after some further
conversation, "in a few days, and I do not know when I will be back,
but I want you, for my sake, to try and be cheerful, so as to get
well as soon as possible."

"Going away!" gasped Mrs. Hart, in strong surprise. "Where to?"

"To Italy. To Florence," said Lord Chetwynde.

"To Florence?"

"Yes."

"Why do you leave Chetwynde?"

"I have some business," said he, "of a most important kind; so
important that I must leave every thing and go away."

"Is your wife going with you?"

"No--she will remain here," said Lord Chetwynde, dryly.

Mrs. Hart could not help noticing the very peculiar tone in which he
spoke of his wife.

"She will be lonely without you," said she.

"Well--business must be attended to, and this is of vital
importance," was Lord Chetwynde's answer.

Mrs. Hart was silent for a long time.

"Do you expect ever to come back?" she asked at last.

"I hope so."

"But you do not know so?"

"I should be sorry to give up Chetwynde forever," said he.

"Is there any danger of that?"

"Yes. I am thinking of it. The affairs of the estate are of such a
nature that I may be compelled to sacrifice even Chetwynde. You know
that for three generations this prospect has been before us."

"But I thought that danger was averted by your marriage?" said Mrs.
Hart, in a low voice.

"It was averted for my father's lifetime, but now it remains for me
to do justice to those who were wronged by that arrangement; and
justice shall be done, even if Chetwynde has to be sacrificed."

"I understand," said Mrs. Hart, in a quiet, thoughtful tone--"and you
are going to Florence?"

"Yes, in a few days. But you will be left in the care of those who
love you."

"Lady Chetwynde used to love me," said Mrs. Hart; "and I loved her."

"I am glad to know that--more so than I can say."

"She was always tender and loving and true. Your father loved her
like a daughter."

"So I have understood."

"You speak coldly."

"Do I? I was not aware of it. No doubt her care will be as much at
your service as ever, and when I come back again I shall find you in
a green old age--won't I? Say I shall, my dear old nurse."

Tears stood in Mrs. Hart's eyes. She gazed wistfully at him, but said
nothing.

A few more interviews took place between these two, and in a short
time L