Her history since the loss of the children can be told in a few words. She was a long time under medical care, her mind not having recovered completely from the effects of the attack she had at Kelmersdale. When at last she was herself again, she went to Hemsborough, and found an asylum with her sister-in-law. She heard from Lord Beaucourt of her stepson's visit to England, and she guessed that he had discovered that she had not been kind to the children. So she never wrote to him, though in her misery—for she was a very miserable woman—she would have given much to beg for his and Janet's forgiveness. She had lived principally with her sister-in-law, who was not unkind; but sometimes she quarrelled with her nieces, and then she would leave them and take a place somewhere. But her health and her nerves were shattered, and she always broke down before long, and returned to Hemsborough. She did so now, when she left the hospital. When she was again comfortably settled in her sister-in-law's house, she wrote the following letter to Janet: "MY DEAR JANET, "If this ever comes to your hand, try to think less bad of me than I deserve of you. I have suffered for my unkindness, Heaven knows. I have been a wretched woman. I hope you and Fred have not been as wretched as I am, but I dare not think of what you must have felt. "I would not venture to write now but for one thing. I have always felt that there was a chance that the children were not drowned in the Kelmer. And I think I saw one of them, a tall, handsome young man, studying to be a doctor. I could not think any one could be so like your husband but little Fred, who was always so like him. But he calls himself Frederick Giles, and when I was well and left the hospital, I found out where he was lodging, and made what inquiry I could. He comes from a place near Cirencester, called Edgestone, and he had gone home. I could do no more, having no money but what would take me home to my sister's house in Hemsborough. I am weak and ill, more in mind than in body, and so the best thing I can do is to tell you this, and if you tell me what to do, I will do it. But I know that you and Fred will come home to see for yourselves, if you can afford it. "I am not long for this world. I suppose there is no use in asking you two to forgive me; I cannot forgive myself. I am a wretched woman, and have no hope. But if you find the boys, perhaps you might forgive me. Fred Giles is the adopted son of a doctor in Edgestone. That is all I know. "LYDIA RAYBURN."