But her mind knew relief when she recollected that her humble little school-mate, Selina Collect, who had suffered on her behalf in old days, was coming up to her from the Suffolk coast on a visit for a week.

However much a slave and an unloved woman, she could be a constant and protecting friend.

Besides, Lord Ormont was gracious to little Selina.

She thought of his remarks about the modest-minded girl after first seeing her.

From that she struck upon a notion of reserves of humaneness being in him, if she might find the path to them: and thence, fortified by the repose her picture of little Selina's merit had bestowed, she sprang to the idea of valiancy, that she would woo him to listen to her, without inflicting a scene.