She breathed freer when she got outside the hotel, but she took good care to keep her veil down. On reaching the station, she found she had half an hour to wait for her train, and so she forced herself to take some refreshment. She knew that she had need to garner up her strength if she was to perform the task she had set herself. It was quite dark when she reached Borton, but, of course, there were lights in the station; and as all the officials knew her well, she had to double her precautions. She ordered a fly, and drove straight to the best inn in the little town, as she happened to know the proprietor of “The Chequers” was a newcomer, and had no knowledge of her personally. However, he saw in a moment that she was a lady; and though her small traveling-bag did not look promising, he received her with great dignity, and showed her at once to the best rooms in the hotel. A tidy little maid was sent to wait upon her, and while she helped to remove her things, Lady Gwendolyn said carelessly: “Have you any nice houses in the neighborhood, Mary?” “Yes, ma’am,” answered Mary. “There is Colonel Dacre’s, ma’am--Borton Hall, it is called.” “Indeed! is it a fine place?” “Yes, ma’am; but not so fine as Lord Teignmouth’s, which is four miles out of the town.” “Really! I suppose neither of them is here now?” And my lady toyed with her ring, and looked languidly indifferent, although a keen observer might have noticed that she stopped her very breath to listen for Mary’s answer. “My lord is away, ma’am; but I heard this morning that Colonel Dacre was at the Hall.” “And his wife, too, I presume?” “No; she isn’t there.” “Surely. They haven’t been very long married, you know.” “Long enough to get tired of each other, ma’am, perhaps.” “It is to be hoped not. But are you sure Colonel Dacre is here, Mary?” “Quite sure, ma’am, for I saw him with my own eyes last night.” “But I thought he had come into a title lately, Mary?” “So he has, ma’am, begging his pardon. It’s Sir Lawrence he is called now, for I heard master tell the waiter so. However, whatever he is called, I saw him last night.” “You know him, then?” “I ought to, for I lived at Borton Hall when I was younger.” “Oh, indeed!” said Lady Gwendolyn, beginning to feel rather uncomfortable. “Then I dare say you know Lord Teignmouth by sight?” “No, ma’am, I don’t. I never saw any of the family,” was the reply; and Lady Gwendolyn breathed freer. She was wiser now than she had been, and took care to nurse her strength. Although she hoped and prayed to die, it must not be just yet--until she was quite sure she had nothing to live for. She had come to Borton to learn the truth, and she must be careful that physical weakness did not stand in the way of her enlightenment.