"Val is changed. There are threads of silver in his hair; and he is so much quieter than I thought he ever would be. I wonder you took him, Anne, after all; and I wonder still more that Dr. Ashton allowed it."
A blush tinged Lady Hartledon's face as she looked out at the soft rain, and a half-smile parted her lips.
"I see, Anne. Love once, love ever; and I suppose it was the same with Val, in spite of his folly. I should have taken out my revenge by marrying the first eligible man that offered himself. Talking of that—is poor Mr. Graves married yet?"
"Yes, at last," said Anne, laughing. "A grand match too for him, poor timid man: his wife's a lord's daughter, and as tall as a house."
"If ever man worshipped woman he worshipped you, though you were only a girl."
"Nonsense, Laura."
"Anne, you knew it quite well; and so did Val. Did he ever screw his courage up to the point of proposing?"
Anne laughed. "If he ever did, I was too vexed to answer him. He will be very happy, Laura. His wife is a meek, amiable woman, in spite of her formidable height."
"And now I want you to tell me one thing—How was it that Edward could not be saved?"
For a moment Lady Hartledon did not understand, and turned her eyes on the boy.