"I won't ask the poor child to see me, Mr.Wordley," he said.

"Will you therefore be good enough to give her Lady Bannerdale's love, and to tell her that, as Lady Bannerdale has written to her, we shall be more than pleased if she will come to us at the Court.

She is to consider it her home for just as long as she should please; and we shall feel it a pleasure and an honour to have her amongst us as one of our own.

Of course she cannot remain alone here, in this great place." The old lawyer bowed.
"I will give her your kind message, for which I thank you on her behalf, Lord Bannerdale.

I do not know what she will do, or where she will go; at present she is not in a condition to discuss any plans for her future, though to-day she expressed a desire to remain at the Hall." He paused for a moment before he added: "I do not know whether she can do so." "My cousin is young, and a mere child, and she must follow the advice of her elders and her guardian.