A strong impulse came over me to offer to supply the place—until I should be called away by Madame de Mellissie. _Miss_ White! she might be only a young person. If I could but make myself useful, it would take away the compunction I felt at having been thrust upon them at Chandos. I spoke on the impulse of the moment, blushing and timid as a schoolgirl. Mr. Chandos smiled, and shook his head. "It is not a situation that would suit you; or you it." "Is Miss White older than I?" "A little. She is about fifty-six." "Oh! But as a temporary arrangement, sir?—Until we have news from Madame de Mellissie. I should like to repay a tithe of the obligation I am under to Lady Chandos." "A great obligation, that! No, it could not be. We should have you and Mrs. Chandos running into the shrubberies after sleepwalkers and ghosts, as it seems you did last night. Besides," he added, taking up his gloves and riding-whip, "if you became Mrs. Chandos's companion, what should I do for mine?" He nodded to me after he got on his horse; a spirited animal, Black Knave by name: and rode away at a brisk canter, followed by his groom. CHAPTER XVII. THE STRANGER APPLICANT. "Is Mr. Chandos gone, do you know, Miss?" The question came from Hill, who put her head in at the oak-parlour to make it. "He rode away not three minutes ago." "Dear me! My lady wanted him to call somewhere else. I suppose a note must be posted." "Stay an instant, Mrs. Hill," I said, detaining her. "There's a new companion wanted, is there not, for Mrs. Chandos?" "Of course there is," returned Hill. "What of it?" "Can I see Lady Chandos?" Hill turned hard directly, facing me resolutely. "Now, Miss, you listen: we have had that discussion once before, and we don't want it gone over again. So long as my lady keeps her rooms, neither you nor anybody else can be admitted to her; you wouldn't be if you paid for it in gold. And I'm much surprised that a young lady, calling herself a lady, should persist in pressing it." "Hill, I am not pressing it. I only asked the question: As I cannot see Lady Chandos, will you deliver a message to her for me? If I can be of any use in taking the duties of companion to Mrs. Chandos in this temporary need, I shall be glad to be so, and will do my very best." To see the countenance with which Hill received these words, was something comical: the open mouth, the stare of astonishment. "_You_ take the duties of companion to Mrs. Chandos!" uttered she, at length. "Bless the child! you little know what you ask for." "But will you mention it to Lady Chandos?" Hill vouchsafed no answer. She cast a glance of pity on my ignorance or presumption, whichever she may have deemed it, and quietly went out of the room.