"How do you think my niece is looking?" asked Mrs. Carlyon of Captain Lennox, a little later on, as she glanced fondly at Ella.
"Uncommonly well," replied the Captain. "She always does look well."
"Ah no, not always. She was not looking well when she came to me."
Captain Lennox considered. He also glanced across at Ella.
"I have noticed one thing, Mrs. Carlyon--that she has at times a strangely grave look in her eyes for one so young. It is as if she had something or other in her thoughts that she finds difficult to forget."
"That is just where the matter lies. How can she forget? Since that strange affair that happened last February at Heron Dyke----"
"Oh, that was a regular mystery," interrupted the Captain, aroused to eager interest. "It is one still."
"And it has left its effects upon poor Ella. A mystery: yes, you are right in calling it so; sure never was a greater mystery enacted in melodrama. Ella's stay with me has, no doubt, benefited her in a degree, but I am sure it lies in her thoughts almost night and day."
"Well, it was a most unaccountable thing. I fancy it troubles Mr. Denison."
"It must trouble all who inhabit Heron Dyke. For myself, I do not think I could bear to live there. Were it my home I should leave it."