occasional monosyllabic replies were sufficient to inspire her friendly efforts to entertain. Moreover, her curiosity concerning Cassandra and her errand, where she was evidently neither expected nor known, was piqued and lively, and she threw out many tentative remarks to probe if possible the stranger lady’s thoughts.

“Have you ever seen Lord Thryng — the new lord, I mean, ma’m?”

“Yes,” said Cassandra, simply, a chill striking to her heart to hear him mentioned thus.

“He’s been out here directing the repairs himself, and getting the place ready for his mother and Lady Laura; but I never saw him. They say he’s perfectly stunning. Quite the lord. Is he so very handsome, do you think?”