She had never connected the two names together.

But Mrs.Finn had been clever enough to perceive that the Duchess had become fond of Mr.Tregear, and would willingly have heard something to his advantage.

And she did hear something to his advantage,--something also to his disadvantage.

At his mother's death this young man would inherit a property amounting to about fifteen hundred a year.

"And I am told," said Mrs.Finn, "that he is quite likely to spend his money before it comes to him." There had been nothing more written specially about Mr.Tregear; but Mrs.Finn had feared not only that the young man loved the girl, but that the young man's love had in some imprudent way been fostered by the mother.
Then there had been some fitful confidence during those few days of acute illness.