An expression of alarm crossed her face.
"Go now," she said, hurriedly, to her visitor; "I will call and see you this afternoon." Mrs.Bray quietly arose, saying, as she did so, "I shall expect you," and went away.
There was a menace in her tone as she said, "I shall expect you," that did not escape the ears of Mrs.Dinneford.
Edith was in the hall, at some distance from the parlor door.

Mrs.Bray had to pass her as she went out.

Edith looked at her intently.
"Who is that woman ?" she asked, confronting her mother, after the visitor was gone.
"If you ask the question in a proper manner, I shall have no objection to answer," said Mrs.Dinneford, with a dignified and slightly offended air; "but my daughter is assuming rather, too much." "Mrs.Bray, the servant said." "No, Mrs.Gray." "I understood her to say Mrs.Bray." "I can't help what you understood." The mother spoke with some asperity of manner.

"She calls herself Gray, but you can have it anything you please; it won't change her identity." "What did she want ?" "To see me." "I know." Edith was turning away with an expression on her face that Mrs.Dinneford did not like, so she said, "She is in trouble, and wants me to help her, if you must know.

She used to be a dressmaker, and worked for me before you were born; she got married, and then her troubles began.