'Do you think Emily has told her mother--has spoken to her of me ?' Mrs.Baxendale looked surprised.

'I can't say; I took it for granted.' 'I wonder why she was reluctant to do so ?' Wilfrid said, already speaking with complete freedom.

'Her father cannot have known; it would have relieved his worst anxieties; he would surely never have been driven to such things.' 'No; I think not.

The poor girl will feel that, I fear.

I suppose one can get a glimpse of her reasons for keeping silence ?' She gave Wilfrid a friendly glance as she spoke.
'How glad I am,' he exclaimed, 'to be able to talk to you! I should have been in the utmost difficulties.