to re-read
another time, and took out another one. "I've had _this_," she said,
"from old Mrs. Prichard. But there's nothing in it!"

"Nothing in it?"

"Nothing about what Widow Thrale told us in hers. Nothing about Mrs.
Thrale thinking she had gone dotty."

The Countess, with a passing rebuke of her daughter's phraseology, asked
to be reminded of the story. Gwen, embarking on a _resume_, was
interrupted by a tunnel, and then had hardly begun again when the train
rushed into a second section of it, which had slipped or been blown
further along the line. However, Peace ensued, in a land where, to all
appearance, notice-boards were dictating slow speeds from interested
motives, as there was no reason in life against quick ones. Gwen took
advantage of it to read Mrs. Prichard's letter aloud, with comments.
This was the letter:--

"'MY DEAR LADY,

"'I am looking forward to your return, and longing for it, for I
have much to tell you. I cannot tell of it all now, but I can tell
you what is such a happiness to tell, of the sweet kindness of this
dear young woman who takes such care of me. A many have been very
very kind to me, and what return have I to make, since my dear
husband died?'...

"Her dear husband, don't you see, mamma, was the infamous monster that
wrote the forged letter that did it all.... Papa read it to you, didn't
he?"

"My dear, it's no use asking me what your father read or did not read to
me, for really the last few days have been such a whirl. It always is,
in London. However, go on! I know the letter you mean--what you were
telling me about. Only I can't say I made head or tail of it at the
time. Go on!" Her ladyship composed herself to listen with her eyes
shut, and Gwen read on:--

"'But never, no never, was such patient kindness to a tiresome old
woman, because that is what I am, and I know, my dear. I know, my
dear, that I owe this to you, and it is for your sake, but it ought
to be, and that is right. I do not say things always like I want
to. She says her own mother is no use to her, because she is so
strong and never ill, and I am good to nurse. But she is coming
back very soon, and I shall see her. She is my Davy's other Granny,
you know, and I am sure she must be good. I cannot write more, but
oh, how good you have been to me!

"'Your loving and dutiful
"'MAISIE PRICHARD.

"'I must say this to yo