'Yes, to-morrow or the next day; but I must speak to Mr. O'Brien and Dr. Ross first.' Then she left him without saying another word; but it went to his heart to see her cowering over the fire in her old miserable attitude. 'Mrs. Blake,' he said, following her, 'if you think better of this, will you write to me? Two or three words will be enough: "I will tell him myself" just that----' but she made no reply. 'I shall wait in the hope that I may receive such a note; a few hours' delay will not matter, and perhaps a little consideration may induce you to be brave. Remember, there is no wrong-doing except that of heinous and deadly sin that we may not strive to set right. It needs courage to confess to a fellow-creature, but love should give you this courage.' But still she did not move or speak, and he was forced to leave her. He found Biddy hovering about the dark passage, and he guessed at once that she had been a listener. A moment's consideration induced him to take the old woman by the shoulder and draw her into an empty room close by. She looked somewhat scared at his action. She had a candle in her hand, and he could see how furtively her wild, hawk-like eyes glanced at him. 'Biddy, I know you are your mistress's trusted friend--that she confides in you.' 'Ay.' 'Use every argument in your power, then, to induce her to tell her son about his father.' 'I dare not, sir; she would fly into one of her mad passions and strike me.' 'Good heavens!' 'I have work enough with her sometimes; she has always had her tantrums from a child; but I'm used to them, and I know how to humour her. She will never tell Mr. Cyril; I know them both too well for that.' 'You heard all I said, Biddy. You need not deny it. You have been listening at the door.' 'It is not me who would deny it,' she returned boldly; but there was a flush on her withered cheek. 'There is nothing that my mistress could say that she would wish to keep from me. I have been with her all her life. As a baby she slept in my bosom, and I loved her as my own child. Ah, it was an ill day for Miss Olive when she took up with that good-for-nothing Matthew O'Brien; bad luck to him and his!' 'Nevertheless, he is her husband, Biddy.' 'I don't know about that, sir. I was never married myself, and fourteen years is a long absence. Aren't they more her children than his, when she has slaved and sacrificed herself for them? You meant it well, sir, what you said to the mistress; but I take the liberty of differing from you, and I would sooner bite my tongue out than speak the word that will bring them all to shame.' 'Then I must not look to you for help?' 'I am afraid not, sir. I am on my mistress's side.' 'You are an obstinate old woman, Biddy, and I looked for better sense at your age.' Nevertheless, he shook her by the hand very kindly, and then she lighted him downstairs. Mollie came out of the dining-room and looked at him wistfully. 'Is mamma better now, Captain Burnett?'