I don’t believe one word of it all.  But I’ll ask him, the next time I see him.”—­“Do so, my dear,” I said, not fearing for myself, for I knew he would not make any fuss that might bring the thing out into the air, and hoping that it might lead to a quarrel between them.  And the next time I met her, Samuel—­it was in the gallery that takes to the west turret—­she passed me with a nod just, and a blush instead of a smile on her sweet face.  And I didn’t blame her, Samuel; but I knew that that villain had gotten a hold of her.  And so I could only cry, and that I did.  Things went on like this for some months.  The captain came and went, stopping a week at a time.  Then he stopped for a whole month, and this was in the first of the summer; and then he said he was ordered abroad again, and went away.  But he didn’t go abroad.  He came again in the autumn for the shooting, and began to make up to Miss Oldcastle, who had grown a line young woman by that time.  And then Miss Wallis began to pine.  The captain went away again.  Before long I was certain that if ever young creature was in a consumption, she was; but she never said a word to me.  How ever the poor thing got on with her work, I can’t think, but she grew weaker and weaker.  I took the best care of her she would let me, and contrived that she should have her meals in her own room; but something was between her and me that she never spoke a word about herself, and never alluded to the captain.  By and by came the news that the captain and Miss Oldcastle were to be married in the spring.  And Miss Wallis took to her bed after that; and my lady said she had never been of much use, and wanted to send her away.  But Miss Oldcastle, who was far superior to any of the rest in her disposition, spoke up for her.  She had been to ask me about her, and I told her the poor thing must go to a hospital if she was sent away, for she had ne’er a home to go to.  And then she went to see the governess, poor thing! and spoke very kindly to her; but never a word would Miss Wallis answer; she only stared at her with great, big, wild-like eyes.  And Miss Oldcastle thought she was out of her mind, and spoke of an asylum.  But I said she hadn’t long to live, and if she would get my lady her mother to consent to take no notice, I would take all the care and trouble of her.  And she promised, and the poor thing was left alone.  I began to think myself her mind must be going, for not a word would she speak, even to me, though every moment I could spare I was up with her in her room.  Only I was forced to be careful not to be out of the way when my lady wanted me, for that would have tied me more.  At length one day, as I was settling her pillow for her, she all at once threw her arms about my neck, and burst into a terrible fit of crying.  She sobbed and panted for breath so dreadfully, that I put my arms round her and lifted her up to give her relief; and when I laid her down again, I whispered in her ear, “I know now, my dear.  I’ll do all