CHAPTER IV.
Scott Homer wore exactly, to his sister's eyes, the aspect he had worn the day before, and it also formed to her sense the great feature of his impartial greeting.
"How d'ye do, Mamie?
How d'ye do, Lady Wantridge ?" "How d'ye do again ?" Lady Wantridge replied with an equanimity striking to her hostess.

It was as if Scott's own had been contagious; it was almost indeed as if she had seen him before.

Had she ever so seen him--before the previous day?
While Miss Cutter put to herself this question her visitor at all events met the one she had previously uttered.

"Ever 'forgive' ?" this personage echoed in a tone that made as little account as possible of the interruption.

"Dear yes! The people I HAVE forgiven!" She laughed--perhaps a little nervously; and she was now looking at Scott.