Miss Carlyle is not over pleasant in manner, my lady, but she is very upright and just." "What facts ?" asked Lady Isabel, sitting down to have her hair brushed.
"My lady, I'll tell you as shortly as it can.

My father was a clerk in Mr.Carlyle's office--of course I mean the late Mr.Carlyle.My mother died when I was eight years old, and my father afterwards married again, a sister of Mr.Kane's wife--" "Mr.Kane, the music master ?" "Yes, my lady.

She and Mrs.Kane were quite ladies; had been governesses.

People said she lowered herself greatly in marrying my father.

However, they did marry, and at the end of the year my little sister Afy was born.