Her thoughts were filled with this young man; she longed to know more of his sad history, and why his life had been rendered such a blank.
It could not be that he was really insane, and that it was necessary to confine him thus! Was she with a madman?
The thought for the moment startled her so that she actually felt faint. But, no; one look into that calm, patient face, with its deep, intelligent eyes, completely banished all fear, and left her more in the dark than ever.
“You are very weary,” the young man remarked, seeing her listless attitude.
“No,” she answered, smiling; “but I am wondering how my explanation regarding my absence and sudden reappearance will be received by Lady Ruxley.”
“Ah! I had not thought of that,” he replied, with a painful start, and a vivid flush crimsoning his white face.
“You are an inmate of the family, then?” he asked, thoughtfully.
“I am companion to Lady Ruxley, although before coming to her I was governess in the family of that woman who entrapped me into yonder cell.” She then related to him something of her troubles with Mrs. Coolidge.
“And it is her daughter who is to marry m—— Sir Charles?” the young man asked, deeply interested.
“Yes.”