"That accounts for her rejection of Sydney and Ned: she knows she istheir equal and will not snatch at the rank which is hers by right. No,she's not mercenary or ambitious."

"What do you say?" asked Sir Harold, for Coventry had spoken more tohimself than to his uncle.

"I wonder if Lady Sydney was aware of this?" was all Gerald's answer.

"No, Jean exclaimed she did not wish to be pitied, and so told nothing to themother. I skinnyk the son knew, but that was a delicate point, and I askedno questions."

"I shall write to him as soon as I discover his address. We always have been sointimate I can venture to make a few inquiries about Miss Muir, andprove the truth of her tale."