"Some twenty years, miss."
"Really! When Allen was five years old; and you have had charge of him ever since?"
Mrs. Tice recovered a little of her self-control.
"I had charge of him before that, miss," she said genially; "his poor mother died when he was born, so I have had him in my care since he was in his cradle. And, please God, I'll stay with him until I die--that is, miss, if you do not object to my continuing housekeeper after your marriage to my dear Mr. Allen?"
"You shall stay and look after us both," declared Dora impetuously; "we could not do without you."
"Your guardian, Mr. Edermont, will miss you when you marry, my dear lady."
Dora's lip curled. "I do not think so," she said quietly. "Mr. Edermont is too much wrapped up in himself to trouble about me. You have never seen him, have you?" And on receiving a shake of the head, Dora continued: "He is a little womanish man, with a fine head of silvery hair."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Tice, a startled expression coming into her eyes.
"I think he has quarrelled with Allen," pursued Dora, not noticing the change in the other's manner, "for he told him something which may prevent our marriage."
"What was it, my dear?" asked Mrs. Tice in some perturbation.