"Yes, as soon as he heard of our dear one's death he was taken. It has killed him."
"Poor old James!"
They sat there some time, hand in hand, in sorrowful communion, and then Charles said suddenly—
"The future, Mary! The future, my love?"
"We discussed that before, Charles, dear. There is only one line of life open to me."
"Ah!"
"I shall write to Lady Ascot to-morrow. I heard from Adelaide the other day, and she tells me that young Lady Hainault is going to take charge of poor Lord Charles's children in a short time; and she will want a nursery governess; and I will go."
"I would sooner you were there than here, Mary. I am very glad of this. She is a very good woman. I will go and see you there very often."
"Are you going back to Oxford, Charles?"