"Flossy's, I suppose?" said Miss Vane rather shortly, as she disengaged herself from Enid's arm and went out of the room. But she was not ill-pleased, although she pretended to feel piqued by the request for a private interview. "He looks like a man to be trusted," she said. "Enid will be happier with him than with Hubert--poor Hubert, poor miserable, deluded boy! As for Flossy, I cannot think of her without a shudder. Heaven knows what she has done, but she has most certainly driven Enid out of the house by her conduct! I hope it is nothing very seriously wrong." At that moment a telegram was put into Miss Vane's hands. It was from the General. "Is Enid with you? If not, telegraph at once. I am coming up to town by next train." It seemed long to Miss Vane before she was summoned to the promised conference with Enid and Mr. Evandale. Here a great shock awaited her. Enid had told her whole story to Maurice, and he had said that, while the midnight interview between Enid and Mrs. Vane might be kept secret--as nothing could absolutely be proved respecting Flossy's sinister designs on Enid's life or health--the confession that Mrs. Meldreth had made to Enid in her last moments should be made known. Enid was however still reluctant; and Miss Vane was brought in chiefly to give her advice, and thus to settle the question. "Well," she said, looking keenly from one to the other, as she sat beside Enid's sofa and Mr. Evandale stood before her, "I think I may safely say that it's not the money that either of you cares about." "No, indeed!" The voices were unanimous. "Neither money nor lands matter very much to you. But you"--to Evandale--"hate the deceit; and you, on the other hand"--turning to Enid--"are fond of the poor child, who, I must say, has been treated about as badly as any of you. Isn't that the case?" "Yes, aunt Leo." "And what's to be done with him when the truth is made known? Is he to be made over to his rightful owner--Sabina Meldreth?" Enid and Mr. Evandale looked at each other. "No," said the Rector, at length--"certainly not! We would bring him up ourselves, if need be; and Enid would be to him all that his own mother and Mrs. Vane have failed to be." "And he should never suffer," said Enid, with tears in her eyes. "I love him as if he were my own little brother, aunt Leo. He should have all the property--as far as I am concerned--if Maurice thought it right." "Yes, certainly, if the General chose to leave it to him; but the General ought to know," said Mr. Evandale decisively. "I do not see how we can be parties to a deception any longer." "It is a very hard position for all of us," said Miss Vane. "As for me, I am most seriously concerned for my brother. Have you thought what a terrible shock you are preparing for him?" Evandale looked grave and did not answer.