"I do long for it," I answered. "If I take it, Lady Ursula, it will avert such a storm as girls like you can never even picture. It will save--Oh, have you a mother, Lady Ursula?" "Of course I have. I don't see her very often. She is at Cannes now." "If I take the money," I said, "it will be only for a week, remember." "Very well. Of course you will take it. Out with your purse. Nay, though, you shall have a new purse, and one of mine. What do you say to this, made of red Russian leather? Here go the notes, and here the gold. Pop the purse into your pocket. Now, don't you feel nice? We have both got what we want, and we can both be happy for a week." "I will come back in a week," I said. I felt so mean when that thirty pounds lay in my pocket that I could scarcely raise my eyes. For the first time the difference of rank between Lady Ursula and myself oppressed me. For the first time I was conscious of my shabby dress, my rough boots, my worn gloves. "Good-bye, Lady Ursula," I said. "Good-bye, good-bye! I cannot tell you how grateful I am! You are not cruel, you are not selfish. By the way, what is your name?" "Lindley." "Your Christian name?" "I am called Rosamund." "How pretty! Good-bye, Rosamund!" CHAPTER SEVEN. MR CHILLINGFLEET. I left the house, and took the next train home. Jack was very ill indeed. His fever had taken an acute form. My mother looked miserable about him. Even the doctor was anxious. "I am so glad you have come back, Rose," said my mother; "you had scarlet fever when you were a little child, so there is no fear for you, and it will be a great comfort having you in the house." I did not make any immediate response to this speech of my mother's. I had Hetty under my charge, and could not stay, and yet how queer my mother would think my absence just then. I wondered if I dared confide to her Jack's secret. It was told me in great confidence, but still-- While I was hesitating, my mother began to speak again. "Jack has been delirious all the morning. In his delirium he has spoken constantly of a girl called Hetty. Do we know any one of the name, Rose?" "_I_ know some one of the name," I responded. "_You_!--But what friend have you that I am not acquainted with? I don't believe there is a single girl called Hetty in this place." "I know a girl of the name," I repeated. "She does not live here. She is a girl who is ill at present, and in--in great trouble, and I think I ought to go and nurse her. She is without the friend who should be with her, and it is right for me to take his place." "What _do_ you mean, Rosamund? Right for you to go away, and nurse a complete stranger, when your own brother is so ill?" "But he has you, and Jane Fleming. Jack won't suffer for lack of nursing, and the girl has no one."