In early youth, Dame Debbitch had accidentally met with the son of her first patroness, and who had himself been her earliest charge, fishing in the little brook already noticed, which watered the valley in which she resided with Alice Bridgenorth.

The dame's curiosity easily discovered who he was; and besides the interest which persons in her condition usually take in the young people who have been under their charge, she was delighted with the opportunity to talk about former times--about Martindale Castle, and friends there--about Sir Geoffrey and his good lady--and, now and then, about Lance Outram the park-keeper.
The mere pleasure of gratifying her inquiries, would scarce have had power enough to induce Julian to repeat his visits to the lonely glen; but Deborah had a companion--a lovely girl--bred in solitude, and in the quiet and unpretending tastes which solitude encourages--spirited, also, and inquisitive, and listening, with laughing cheek, and an eager eye, to every tale which the young angler brought from the town and castle.
The visits of Julian to the Black Fort were only occasional--so far Dame Deborah showed common-sense--which was, perhaps, inspired by the apprehension of losing her place, in case of discovery.

She had, indeed, great confidence in the strong and rooted belief--amounting almost to superstition--which Major Bridgenorth entertained, that his daughter's continued health could only be insured by her continuing under the charge of one who had acquired Lady Peveril's supposed skill in treating those subject to such ailments.

This belief Dame Deborah had improved to the utmost of her simple cunning,--always speaking in something of an oracular tone, upon the subject of her charge's health, and hinting at certain mysterious rules necessary to maintain it in the present favourable state.

She had availed herself of this artifice, to procure for herself and Alice a separate establishment at the Black Fort; for it was originally Major Bridgenorth's resolution, that his daughter and her governante should remain under the same roof with the sister-in-law of his deceased wife, the widow of the unfortunate Colonel Christian.