“It was when it was taken.”
She took out the locket, which she wore constantly around her neck, sprung it open, and regarded the two portraits it contained earnestly, for it held her miniature likeness as well as his.
“I have not changed much,” she said, “and perhaps he has not, either. I should really like to know if he is alive. Suppose I was to write to this Professor Guy?”
Percy, who was a bright youth, shook his head dissentingly.
“If he is staying away of his own accord, it is no use to write to him to come back,” he replied.
She breathed a sigh. “I suppose not,” she said.
“But if I was to go after him and have a talk with him, I might prevail upon him to come back.”
Mrs. Vere was impressed by these words, but she answered: “How could I trust you so far away from home?”
He smiled, and drew himself proudly up.
“Don’t you think I am big enough to take care of myself?”