CHAPTER VIII.
A change came at last--one for which none of the three had been prepared: Lord Ridsdale married.
The first thing the new Lady Ridsdale did was to insist on the removal of Miss Arleigh from school.
"Nearly eighteen," she said, "and still at school! My dear William, the only wonder is that the poor girl has not fallen into some dreadful mischief.

She ought to have been presented last year.

We must have her home at once." Lady Ridsdale was a woman of the world; she knew exactly how much eclat and importance would accrue to her from the fact of being chaperone to a wealthy heiress like Miss Arleigh.
"Is the girl pretty ?" she asked her husband; and to do him justice, he looked much confused.
"I hardly know what to answer you, Laura.

I must confess the truth; I have not seen her for two years and more.

When my wife died I was quite at a loss what to do with her, so I sent her to school.