She seemed happier after she came back from London, poor dear; and she told me that her grandfather had left her money, and that she was likely to become quite a rich woman.

The thought of this gave her so much pleasure--not for her own sake, but for her husband's, whose cares and difficulties would all come to an end now, she told me.

She had been back only a few days, when I left home for a day and a night, to see my aunt--an old woman and a constant invalid, who lives at Malsham.

I had put off going to her for a long time, for I didn't care about leaving Mrs.Holbrook; but I had to go at last, my aunt thinking it hard that I couldn't spare time to spend a day with her, and tidy up her house a bit, and see to the girl that waits upon her, poor helpless thing.

So I started off before noon one day, after telling Mrs.Holbrook where I was going, and when I hoped to be back.