Whether it would also explain the meaning of her return at this time and the seemingly inexplicable change made in her daughter's name while _en route_, must be left to our judgment.

Madame had told her nothing.

She had simply made use of their home, coming and going, not once, but twice, without giving them the least excuse for her inexplicable conduct.

A hundred questions could not elicit more.

But to one who like myself has had the opportunity of observing this wretched woman at the moment of her supreme distress an insight is given into her character, which suggests the only plausible explanation of her action.