"More than thirty years, ma'am."
"Ah, then you've seen many changes. You would remember Captain Lorraine."
"Yes, indeed, ma'am. I remember him well. As nice a gentleman as ever was. And Miss Aldyth's as like him as can be. It seems only right that she should be here in his stead, though I am sorry for Mr. Guy."
"Ah, I have not yet the pleasure of his acquaintance," said Mrs. Stanton; "but from what I have heard I should imagine him an agreeable young man.
"He is that, ma'am. There's no one about here but is fond of Mr. Guy. It was a pity that he offended his uncle—not but what we're all very pleased to have Miss Aldyth here; though, if it could have been—But, there, things may come right yet. There's many a one says they will."
But here Mrs. Rogers saw something in the lady's expression that made her check her garrulous talk.
Mrs. Stanton was quick enough to read what was in the old woman's mind, but she showed no consciousness of it.
"Mr. Stephen Lorraine was one easily offended, was he not?" she asked.
"Ay, that he was, ma'am; and he was one that would never go from his word. If any servant offended him, that servant had to leave forthwith. It was of no use to try and persuade him to overlook a fault; he would not do that, though it vexed him to part with them. It seemed impossible for him to forgive."
"And when was it that Mr. Guy was so unfortunate as to displease his uncle?"