"No, ma'am."
A cold dew stood on her forehead; but taking courage from a latent and last hope, she added, "I know he has had letters directed to this place."
"Oh! I beg your pardon, ma'am!" returned the man recollecting himself; "I remember a person of that name has received letters from hence, but they were always fetched away by a little girl."
"And do you not know where he lives?"
"No, ma'am," answered he; "yet some one else in the house may: I will inquire."
Miss Beaufort bowed her head in token of acknowledgment, and sat shivering with suspense until he returned, followed by another man.
"This person, ma'am," resumed he, "says he can tell you."
"Thank you, thank you!" cried Mary; then, blushing at her eagerness, she stopped and drew back into the carriage.
"I cannot for certain," said the man, "but I know the girl very well by sight who comes for the letters; and I have often seen her standing at the door of a chandler's shop a good way down the lane. I think it is No. 5, or 6. I sent a person there who came after the same gentleman about a fortnight ago. I dare say he lives there."
Miss Beaufort's expectations sunk again, when she found that she had nothing but a dare say to depend on; and giving half-a-crown to each of her informers, she desired the coachman to drive as they would direct him.