curiosity piqued into a determination to discover her business and identity. Her gravity and silence gave her a poise and dignity that allayed suspicion, but he and his old wife liked diversion, and a spice of gossip lightened the monotony of their lives, so he waited, then coughed behind his hand.

“Yes, ‘er ladyship and Lady Laura are at their country ‘ome now, ma’m. Maybe you came to see the ‘ouse, ma’m?”

“No, it was not the house — it was — ” Again she waited, not knowing how to introduce her husband’s name.

A mystery! A visitor at this hour, and seemingly a lady, yet with a baby in her arms, and alone, and not to see the house. Again he coughed behind his hand.