e you, and I wish you luck," said Mary Everard.

Not only did he go about explaining, and mollifying public sentiment
himself, he also secured the services of Sister Mary Magdalen for the
same useful end. The nun was a puzzle to him. Encased in her religious
habit like a knight in armor, her face framed in the white gamp and
black veil, her hands hidden in her long sleeves, she seemed to him a
fine automaton, with a sweet voice and some surprising movements; for he
could not measure her, nor form any impression of her, nor see a line of
her natural disposition. Her human side appeared very clearly in her
influence with the clan, her sincere and affectionate interest in
himself, and her appetite for news in detail. Had she not made him live
over again the late reception by her questions as to what was done, what
everybody said, and what the ladies wore? Unwearied in aiding the needy,
she brought him people of all sorts and conditions, in whom he took not
the slightest interest, and besought his charity for them. He gave it in
exchange for her good will, making her clearly understand that the
change in his mother's habits must not lead to anything like annoyance
from her old friends and neighbors.

"Oh, dear, no," she exclaimed, "for annoyance would only remove you from
our midst, and deprive us of a great benefactor, for I am sure you will
prove to be that. May I introduce to you my friend, Miss Edith
Conyngham?"

He bowed to the apparition which came forward, seized his hands, held
them and patted them affectionately, despite his efforts to release
them.

"We all seem to have known you since childhood," was her apology.

The small, dark woman, pale as a dying nun, irritated him. Blue glasses
concealed her eyes, and an ugly costume concealed her figure; she came
out of an obscure corner behind the nun, and fell back into it
noiselessly, but her voice and manner had the smoothness of velvet. He
looked at her hands patting his own, and found them very soft, white,
untouched by age, and a curious contrast to her gray hair. Interest
touching him faintly he responded to her warmth, and looked closely into
the blue glasses with a smile. Immediately the little woman sank back
into her corner. Long after he settled the doubt which assailed him at
that moment, if there were not significance in her look and words and
manner. Sister Magdalen bored him ten minutes with her history. He must
surely take an interest in her ... gre