"I thank you for your kind expressions, dear Lady Hurstmonceux. But, oh! what terms shall I find strong enough to thank you for the noble support you have given my daughter in her great need?"
"Believe me, I was very happy to be serviceable to Lady Vincent," replied the countess gently. Then, turning to Claudia, she said:
"Your father has probably not had breakfast."
"No; but I assumed the privilege of ordering it for him," replied the latter.
"The 'privilege' was yours without assumption, my dear. You did exactly right," said the countess.
"I see that my daughter is quite at home with you, madam," observed the judge.
"Oh, I adopted her. I told her that I should be her mother until the arrival of her father," replied Lady Hurstmonceux, smiling.
At this moment the footman put his head in at the door to say that the judge's breakfast was served. Lady Hurstmonceux led the way to the breakfast parlor, and then saying:
"You will make your father comfortable here, Claudia, I hope," she bowed and left them alone together.
Claudia sat down to the table and began to pour out the coffee.
James, the footman, was in attendance.