"Are you afraid of them?"
"Oh no," and she laughed.
"No love affairs yet, I should imagine," said Mrs. De Wolfe, with customary bluntness.
"No love affairs," repeated Nancy, but she coloured vividly.
"Ah! then there is someone?" remarked her astute questioner.
"Yes, there was someone; someone I don't like; but it had nothing to do with a love affair—and I pray that we may never meet again."
"I'm afraid that will be no use, my dear—we all meet the very people we don't want to see!"
"Well, I shall always want to see you!" said Nancy impulsively.
"I'm glad of that, my child, for the number of people who never wish to see me again, is fairly large. I hate cruelty, and snobbery; I speak out my mind rather freely, as I tramp through life. Well, my little chick, I've given you a lift on the road, haven't I?"
"You have indeed; I can't tell you all you have done for me, roused me from a stupor, that was creeping over me,—and helped me to make a fresh start. I can never thank you enough, never!"