had always been to her
her "own, own mamma," was going to be her parent, there must be an
end of all hope of happiness. She said nothing, but compressed her
lips together. She would not allow herself to be led an inch any
way by a man who talked to her of her parent. "The very idea of
such a marriage as this man had suggested to you under the guise
of friendship was dreadful to her. It could be no more than an
idea;--but that you should have entertained it was dreadful. She has
since asked you again and again to repudiate the idea, and hitherto
you have refused to obey."

"I can never know what mamma really wants till I go and live with her
again."

"I am coming to that, Lady Anna. The Countess has informed Mrs.
Bluestone that you had refused to give the desired promise unless you
should be allowed to see Mr. Daniel Thwaite, intimating, I presume,
that his permission would be necessary to free you from your
imaginary bond to him."

"It would be necessary."

"Very well. The Countess naturally felt an abhorrence at allowing
you again to be in the presence of one so much beneath you,--who
had ventured to address you as he has done. It was a most natural
feeling. But it has occurred to Mrs. Bluestone and myself, that as
you entertain this idea of an obligation, you should be allowed to
extricate yourself from it after your own fashion. You are to meet
Mr. Thwaite,--on Monday,--at eleven o'clock,--in Keppel Street."

"And I am not to come back again?"

When one executes the office of gaoler without fee or reward, giving
up to one's prisoner one's best bedroom, and having a company dinner,
more or less, cooked for one's prisoner every day, one does not like
to be told too plainly of the anticipated joys of enfranchisement.
Mrs. Bluestone, who had done her best both for the mother and the
girl, and had done it all from pure motherly sympathy, was a little
hurt. "I am sure, Lady Anna, we shall not wish you to return," she
said.

"Oh, Mrs. Bluestone, you don't understand me. I don't think you know
how unhappy I am because of mamma."

Mrs. Bluestone relented at once. "If you will only do as your mamma
wishes, everything will be made happy for you."

"Mr. Thwaite will be in Keppel Street at eleven o'clock on Monday,"
continued the Serjeant, "and an opportunity will then be given you
of obtaining from him a release from that unfortunate promise which
I believe you once made him. I may tell you that he has expressed
h