But the face of the woman advancing towards him suggested that she was not particular about the identity of the form emerging from the mists of time to rescue her from virginity.

She looked as if she would have gladly surrendered that jewel to any freebooter in return for a passage in the ship of matrimony, and gone off flying the proud signal, "All's well." She approached with a smile, and heaven knows what agitation in her breast at the sight of a handsome well-dressed young man in her lonely nest.

"You wished to see me ?" she asked.
"Mrs.Pursill ?" he said interrogatively.
She made a negative sign.

"I am Miss Pursill.

My mother is an invalid." "I am most anxious to see her." "My mother keeps to her bedroom." "I have come down from London purposely to see her," he said anxiously.
"My business is very important." "Could you not tell me ?" she murmured.
"I am afraid not." She fidgeted and came a little closer, as though she liked the nearness of his handsome presence.
"Very well, you shall see her, but you won't be able to talk to her.