In the suggestive retirement of her own room, she arrived at a wise and wary decision.

Opening her door by a few inches, she placed a chair behind the opening in a position which commanded a view of Sydney's room.

Wherever the governess might be, her return to her bed-chamber, before the servants were astir in the morning, was a chance to be counted on.

The night-lamp in the corridor was well alight; and a venerable person, animated by a sense of duty, was a person naturally superior to the seductions of sleep.

Before taking the final precaution of extinguishing her candle, Mrs.Presty touched up her complexion, and resolutely turned her back on her nightcap.