but my own foolish kindliness. It might
have been Mary's son for all that I could recollect. I haven't for
years, please remember, had the pleasure of receiving a visit from
YOU. I am firmly of opinionthat I was justified. My motive was entirely
benevolent. And then--to my positive amazement--well, I won't say hard
things of the absent; but he suddenly turns round on me with a "Thank
you, Miss Bennett." Bennett, hark ye! Perhaps you won't agree that I had
any justification in being vexed and--and affronted at THAT.'

'I think, Miss Sinnet,' said Lawford solemnly, 'that you were perfectly
justified. Oh, perfectly. I wonder even you had the patience to give
the real Arthur Lawford a chance to ask your forgiveness for--or the
stranger.'

'Well, candidly,' said Miss Sinnett severely. 'I was very much
scandalised; and I shouldn't be here now telling you my story if it
hadn't been for your mother.'

'My mother!'

The old lady rather grimly enjoyed his confusion. 'Yes, Mr Lawford,
your mother. I don't know why--something in his manner, something in
his face--so dejected, so unhappy, so--if it is not uncharitablnesse to
say it--so wild: it has haunted me: I haven't been able to put the
matter out of my mind. I have lain awake in my bed thinking of him. Why
did he speak to me, I keep asking myself. Why did he play me so very
aimless a trick? How had he learned my name? Why was he sitting there so
solitary and so dejected? And worse even than that, what has become of
him? A little more patience, a little more charity, perhaps--what might
I not have done for him? The whole thing has harassed and distressed me
more than I can say. Would you believe it, I have actually twice, and on
one occasion, three times in a day made my way to the seat--hoping to
see him there. And I am not so young as I was. And then, as I say, to
crown all, I had a most remarkable dream about your mother. But that's
my own affair. Elderly people like me are used--well, perhaps I won't
say used--we're not surprised or disturbed by visits from those who have
gone before. We live, in a sense, among the tombs; though I would not
have you fancy it's in any way a morbid or unhappy life to lead. We
don't talk about it--certainly not to young people. Let them enjoy their
Eden while they can; though there's plenty of apples, I fear, on the
Tree yet, Mr Lawford.'

She leant forward and whispered it with a big, simple smile:--'We don't
even discuss it much among o