'Old Mrs. Rebecca Prune, who came with a farewell message from Alison to me—a circumstance which I thought strange, as courtesy required that she should have called, or at least written.'
'And there was none for me?'
'None. I assure you, Captain Goring, I miss Alison very much, and so does my child here, little Netty.'
'Ah—little Netty, whose "flower-like beauty," as he calls it, Dalton is never weary praising.'
Mrs. Trelawney's colour heightened for a moment, her long lashes flickered, but she merely said,
'How is Captain Dalton? I have not seen him for some time.'
'Very well—but low-spirited apparently,' replied Goring, who thought that 'she seemed interested in poor Tony after all.'
After a pause—
'Dalton is my dearest friend, Mrs. Trelawney, and, as the confidant of his secrets, he has not concealed from me his deep admiration and love of yourself.'
Mrs. Trelawney's bright hazel eyes sparkled, and her bosom heaved, while an undoubtedly joyous expression spread over all her animated face.