‘It will make no change in me,’ said Tarrant, with resolute good humour.  ’All I want to be sure of is that you are quite prepared for the change in your prospects.’

‘Are you, dear?’

Her tone and look deprived the inquiry of unpleasant implication.  He answered her with a laugh.

’You know exactly how I regard it.  In one way I should feel relief.  Of course I don’t like the thought that I shall have caused you to suffer such a loss.’

’I should never have that thought.  But are you quite sure about the result to yourself?  You remember saying that you couldn’t be certain how—­’

’How it will be taken at Champion Hill?  I was going to tell you the latest report from there.  It is very doubtful whether I should ever have to break the news.’

They did not look at each other.

’Everything, in that quarter, must be long since settled.  Pray remember that I have no vast expectations.  Quite certainly, it won’t be a large fortune; very likely not more than your own.  But enough to live on, no doubt.  I know the value of money—­no man better.  It would be pleasant enough to play with thousands a year.  But I don’t grumble so long as I have a competency.’

Nancy meditated, and sighed.

’Oh, it’s a pity.  Father never meant me to be penniless if I married wisely.’

‘I suppose not.’

‘Of course not!’

They both meditated.

‘It wouldn’t be possible—­would it?’

‘Why,’ he answered with a laugh, ’last time you were here you spoke in quite the other way.  You were utterly miserable at the thought of living through it alone.’

‘Yes—­I don’t know whether I could—­even if—­’

‘What are you thinking of?’

‘I’ve been talking with Mary,’ she replied, after an uneasy pause.  ’She has lived with us so long; and since father’s death it seems quite natural to make a friend of her.  No one could be more devoted to me than she is.  I believe there’s nothing she wouldn’t do.  I believe I might trust her with any secret.’

The obvious suggestion demanded thought.

‘By-the-bye,’ said Tarrant, looking up, ’have you seen your aunt again?’

Nancy’s face changed to a cold expression.

‘No.  And I don’t think I shall.’

‘Probably you were as little sympathetic to her as she to you.’

‘I don’t like her,’ was the brief reply.

‘I’ve had curious thoughts about that lady,’ said Tarrant, smiling.  ’The mystery, it seems to me, is by no means solved.  You think she really is your aunt?’

’Impossible to doubt it.  Any one could see her likeness to Horace at once.’

’Ah, you didn’t mention that.  I had a fear that she might be simply an adventuress, with an eye to your brother’s money.’

’She is what she says, I’m sure.  But I shall never ask her to come and see me again, and I don’t think she’ll want to.  That would be fortunate if—­if we wished—­’