Wayne looked from Mrs. Verdon to Elsie, and read a pathetic story
in her brown eyes.

"May I introduce myself, Miss Kilner?" he said. "I have heard of you so
often from Mr. Lennard."

This was a fib. For years he had not seen or heard anything of the
rector; but it was a fib which slipped from him unawares. He had wished
for an introduction to Elsie when he had seen her at the picture gallery
with the old clergyman, and he had secretly anathematised Mr. Lennard's
obtuseness. He was not going to lose a second chance, he said to
himself.

"I have known the Lennards all my life," Elsie answered. "They belong to
my old home. It is a great pleasure to see the rector when he comes to
town."

Mrs. Verdon regarded the speaker quietly, with the practised glance of a
woman of the world; and she listened to the refined voice and accent
with critical ears. It would be safe, she decided, to notice this
stranger.

"Will you come and see Jamie some day?" she said, addressing Elsie in
her silvery voice, which could be very sweet when she wished to please.
"I am a widow without children, myself, and I want to know how you came
to take such an interest in him. Go and kiss that lady, Jamie; you must
learn to know her quite well."

The boy obeyed without reluctance. He had listened attentively to all
that had been said, and, being an intelligent child, had come to the
conclusion that no one wanted to take him away from Mrs. Verdon.

Elsie kissed the blooming face uplifted to hers, and pressed him in her
arms for a moment. He was the child of her dreams, presented to her now
in substantial form; but he was not meant for her. She could never have
him for her own.

But it was the little lad's good, and not her own pleasure, which she
had been seeking. Meta's prayers were answered; somebody was kind to
Jamie.

Only, why had the vanished hand pointed out the path which she must
follow? Why was she sent to search for a child who was sheltered and
safe?

There seemed to be a sort of mockery in this phantom guidance. She had
been led to the very place where Jamie was to be found, only to be shown
that he had no need of her at all. Every want of his was abundantly
supplied; the fair lady had won his little heart; and the kiss which he
vouchsafed to Elsie was merely bestowed at Mrs. Verdon's request. When
Elsie released him he returned with alacrity to his adopted mother's
side, and slid his hand into hers again.

Yet she had found