of me with the same polite
attention. The only person in the house, indeed, who treated me, at
that time or at any other, on the footing of a lady in distressed
circumstances, was the Count. He had the manners of a true
nobleman--he was considerate towards every one. Even the young person
(Fanny by name) who attended on Lady Glyde was not beneath his notice.
When she was sent away by Sir Percival, his lordship (showing me his
sweet little birds at the time) was most kindly anxious to know what
had become of her, where she was to go the day she left Blackwater
Park, and so on. It is in such little delicate attentions that the
advantages of aristocratic birth always show themselves. I make no
apology for introducing these particulars--they are brought forward in
justice to his lordship, whose character, I have reason to know, is
viewed rather harshly in certain quarters. A nobleman who can respect
a lady in distressed circumstances, and can take a fatherly interest in
the fortunes of an humble servant girl, shows principles and feelings
of too high an order to be lightly called in question. I advance no
opinions--I offer facts only. My endeavour through life is to judge
not that I be not judged. One of my beloved husband's finest sermons
was on that text. I read it constantly--in my own copy of the edition
printed by subscription, in the first days of my widowhood--and at
every fresh perusal I derive an increase of spiritual benefit and
edification.

There was no improvement in Miss Halcombe, and the second night was
even worse than the first. Mr. Dawson was constant in his attendance.
The practical duties of nursing were still divided between the Countess
and myself, Lady Glyde persisting in sitting up with us, though we both
entreated her to take some rest. "My place is by Marian's bedside," was
her only answer. "Whether I am ill, or well, nothing will induce me to
lose sight of her."

Towards midday I went downstairs to attend to some of my regular
duties. An hour afterwards, on my way back to the sick-room, I saw the
Count (who had gone out again early, for the third time) entering the
hall, to all appearance in the highest good spirits. Sir Percival, at
the same moment, put his head out of the library door, and addressed
his noble friend, with extreme eagerness, in these words--

"Have you found her?"

His lordship's large face became dimpled all over with placid smiles,
but he made no reply in word