"Did he know, by the bye, that you were going down ?" "I fancy he did." Their eyes met, and May relieved her feelings with a little laugh.
"Then perhaps the wonder ceases.

And yet, in another way--" Mrs.
Toplady broke off, and added in a lower voice, "Of course you know all about his circumstances ?" "No, in deed I don't.

Tell me about him, please." "But haven't you heard that he is the poorest man in the House of Lords ?" "I had no idea of it," cried May.

"How should I have known?
Really?
He is so poor ?" "I imagine he has barely enough to live upon.

The family was ruined long ago." "But why didn't you tell me?
Does my aunt know ?" May's voice did not express resentment, nor, indeed, strong feeling of any kind.