ked keenly at her young kinsman; but he, with his eyes
fixed upon the ground and his lips compressed, did not seem disposed to
make any remark on what she had said.

"I felt sorry for the girl," Miss Vane went on, "although I despised her
weakness in yielding to an affection for a married man. Still I thought
that her folly had brought its own punishment, and that I ought not to
be hard on her. Otherwise I should have recommended her to leave
Sydney's daughter alone, and get a situation in another house. I wish I
had. I cannot express too strongly to you, Hubert, how much I now wish I
had!"

"Why?"

"I misunderstood her," said his cousin slowly. "I thought that she had a
heart, and that she was grieving--innocently perhaps--over Sydney's
death."

"Well, was she not?"

"I don't think so. If she ever cared for him at all, it was because she
wanted the ease and luxury that he could give her. For, if she cared for
him, Hubert--I put it to you as a matter of probability--could she
immediately after his death begin to plan a marriage with somebody
else?"

Hubert looked up at last, with a startled expression upon his face.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, my dear boy, that your sister Florence now wants to marry the
General."

In spite of his distress of mind, Hubert could not stifle a short laugh.

"Aunt Leonora, you are romancing! This is really too much!"

"I should not mention it to you if I had not good reason," said Miss
Vane, with a series of mysterious nods. "I have sharp eyes, Hubert, and
can see as far as most people. I repeat it--Florence wants to marry the
General."

"She will not do that."

"I am not sure--if she is left here when I am gone. I must go back to
London at some time or other, I suppose. But it won't do to leave Flossy
in possession."

"She would not think of staying, surely, if----"

"If poor Marion died? Yes, she would. Believe me, I know what I am
saying. I have watched her manner to him for the last few weeks, and I
feel sure of it. She has her own ends in view."

"I have no doubt of that," said Hubert, rather bitterly. "But what are
we to do?"

"Let our wits work against hers," replied Miss Vane briskly. "If poor
Marion dies, we must suggest to the General that Enid should go to
school. In that way we may get Florence out of the house without a
scene. But--mark my words, Hubert--she will not go until she is forced.
She is my second cousin once removed and your sister, but for