"That's all right; I'm going to drive the pair of you over to Ringtown, and there I'm going to buy Dorothy what she wants. The other day I saw some pretty model gowns at Wingham's; if only one of them fits her it might do for this afternoon. What do you say, Dorothy?"
The girl, who had been standing by the window, came a little farther into the room; she spoke with painful hesitation.
"Mrs Vernon, I--I have no money."
"My dear child, I have some money of yours."
"Of mine?--money of mine?" The girl looked as if she did not understand, then flushed--as if with sudden comprehension. "Did he--give it you?"
"By 'he' do you mean the Earl of Strathmoira?"
Mrs Vernon smiled; but the girl looked as if she understood less than ever.
"The Earl of Strathmoira?--no; I mean Mr Frazer."
Miss Vernon broke in:
"Mother, what Mr Frazer does she mean? She says she came with Mr Eric Frazer. Who is Eric Frazer?"