that she will ever
know what that queer little bonnet, which she intends to keep as long as
she lives, really meant to Godfrey Radmore--how it had suddenly made him
feel that here was the young Betty of nine years ago come back, never to
disappear into the mists of time again.

Something else happened in the High Street of that little Sussex town.
Radmore decided that it was Timmy's turn to sit behind, and the boy gave
in with a fairly good grace; though after they had left the houses behind
them and were again moving swiftly between brown hedges, he called out
patronisingly:--"The back of your head looks very nice now, Betty--quite
different to what it looked in that horrid old hat you left in the shop."

At last the car slowed down in front of a gate, on one side of which was
a big board. On this board was painted a statement to the effect that the
historic estate of Doryford House was to be let or sold, furnished or
unfurnished, "Apply to the principal London agents."

The finding of the place had not been quite easy, and Radmore drew a
breath of relief as he helped Betty down.

"When Timmy and I were last here," he said hurriedly, "there was a child
very ill at the lodge. So I think I'd better go and just find how things
are."

He was hoping with all his heart that the news he would see on the
mother's face would be good news. Somehow he felt that it would be of
happy augury for himself.

As he rang the bell his heart was beating--a feeling of acute suspense
had suddenly come over him, of which he was secretly ashamed, for it was
almost entirely a selfish distress. And then, when the door opened, he
saw that all was well, for the young woman's worn face was radiant.

"Is that you, sir? Oh, I did hope that you would come again!" she
exclaimed, "The doctor says that my little girl's certain to get well. I
was terrible anxious the day before yesterday, but now though she's weak
and wan, you'd hardly know she'd been bad, sir."

"I wonder if you could give me the keys of Doryford House?" began
Radmore. "I want to go over it, and we need not trouble you to come with
us."

"I'm supposed always to go up with visitors," she said hesitatingly,
"even if I leaves them there," but she looked troubled at the thought of
leaving her child. Then, all at once, Radmore had a happy inspiration.

"Would you feel easier if we left the little boy we've brought with us in
charge? He's very intelligent. He might sit in your kitch