bright and ardent spirit sank like a sinking flame,—­much to the concern of Miss Leigh, who watched her with a jealous tenderness of love beyond all expression.  The child of Pierce Armitage, lawfully or unlawfully begotten, was now to her the one joy of existence,—­the link that fastened her more closely to life,—­and she worried herself secretly over the evident listlessness, fatigue and depression of the girl who had so lately been the very embodiment of happiness.  But she did not like to ask questions,—­she knew that Innocent had a very resolute mind of her own, and that if she elected to remain silent on any subject whatsoever, nothing, not even the most affectionate appeal, would induce her to speak.

“You will not let her come to any harm, Pierce!” murmured the old lady prayerfully one day, standing before the portrait of her former and faithless lover—­“You will step in if danger threatens her!—­yes, I am sure you will!  You will guide and help her again as you have guided and helped her before.  For I believe you brought her to me, Pierce!—­yes, I am sure you did!  In that other world where you are, you have learned how much I loved you long ago!—­how much I love you now!—­and how I love your child for your sake as well as for her own!  All wrongs and mistakes are forgiven and forgotten, Pierce! and when we meet again we shall understand!”

And with her little trembling worn hands she set a rose, just opening its deep red heart-bud into flower, in a crystal vase beside the portrait as a kind of votive offering, with something of the same superstitious feeling that induces a devout Roman Catholic to burn a candle before a favourite saint, in the belief that the spirit of the dead man heard her words and would respond to them.

Just at this time, Innocent went about a good deal among the few friends who had learned to know her well and to love her accordingly.  Lord Blythe was still away, having prolonged his tour in order to enjoy the beauty of the Italian lakes in autumn.  Summer in England was practically over, but the weather was fine and warm still, and country-house parties, especially in Scotland, were the order of the day.  The “social swim” was subsiding, and what are called “notable” people were beginning to leave town.  Once or twice, infected by the general exodus, Innocent thought of going down to Briar Farm just for a few days as a surprise to Priscilla—­but a feeling for Robin held her back.  It would be needless unkindness to again vex his mind with the pain of a hopeless passion.  So she paid a few casual visits here and there, chiefly at houses where Amadis de Jocelyn was also one of the invited guests.  She was made the centre of a considerable amount of adulation, which did not move her to any sort of self-satisfaction, because in the background of her thoughts there was always the light jest and smile of her lover, who laughed at praise, except, be it here said, when it was awarded to himself.  Then he did not laugh—­he