Was Miss Eyrecourt present at the little discussion ?" "Oh, no! Indeed, I should have objected to her presence; I should have said she was a young lady out of her proper place." "Yes; I understand.

Is Miss Eyrecourt an only child ?" "She had two sisters, Father Benwell.

One of them is in a convent." "Ah, indeed ?" "And the other is dead." "Sad for the father and mother, Miss Notman!" "Pardon me, sad for the mother, no doubt.

The father died long since." "Aye?
aye?
A sweet woman, the mother?
At least, I think I have heard so." Miss Notman shook her head.

"I should wish to guard myself against speaking unjustly of any one," she said; "but when you talk of 'a sweet woman,' you imply (as it seems to me) the domestic virtues.