For a month or two all hard words had been said against her by her husband's friends, and even by Sir Patrick himself.

But gradually the truth was known, and after a year's separation they came again together and she remained the mistress of his house till he died.

She brought him home to England, but during the short period left to him of life in his old country he had been a worn-out, dying invalid.

But the scandal of her great misfortune had followed her, and some people were never tired of reminding others that in the course of her married life Lady Carbury had run away from her husband, and had been taken back again by the kind-hearted old gentleman.
Sir Patrick had left behind him a moderate fortune, though by no means great wealth.

To his son, who was now Sir Felix Carbury, he had left L1,000 a year; and to his widow as much, with a provision that after her death the latter sum should be divided between his son and daughter.