So it was a woman who had telegraphed! Somehow she had assumed unquestioningly that it was a man. "If you desire to see him----" Ah, yes, she might have known it! An aunt, who would be frigid and contemptuous, of course. Well, she deserved that, she would have no right to complain; nor was it to be expected that Lucas's family should show her much consideration, though she could not perceive that she had done them any injury. Two hours passed before she had an interview with the lady. Mamie was in the room that she had engaged in the meanwhile. She had bathed her face, and was making ready to return to the sick-room, when she was told that Mrs. Porteous was inquiring for her. "Won't you come in?" she asked. "Our voices won't disturb him here." Mrs. Porteous entered gingerly. She was a massive woman, of middle age, fashionably dressed. Her expression suggested no grief, only a vague fear of contamination. She had telegraphed to Paris because she felt that it was her duty to do so; but she had not telegraphed until it was almost certain that the patient would not rally sufficiently to make a will. "You are--er--Mrs. Heriot?" she said, regarding her curiously. "The doctor thought that Mr. Field's condition ought to be made known to you; so I wired." "Thank you; it was very kind." "The doctor advised it," said Mrs. Porteous again, significantly. "Is he--is there no hope?" "We fear not; my nephew is sinking fast--it's as well you should understand it. If you think it necessary to remain---- I see you have taken a room? As--as 'Mrs. Field,' I presume?" "I should have been 'Mrs. Field,' if Lucas----" His aunt shivered. "There are things we need not discuss. Of course I'm aware that you are living under my nephew's name. I was about to say that if you think it necessary to remain till the end, I have no opposition to offer; but the end is very near now. My telegram must have prepared you? I should not have wired unless----" "I understood," answered Mamie, "yes. I am glad that your nephew had a relative near him, though your name was quite strange to me. He never mentioned it." "Really! Lucas called to see us at once. Our house is in the neighbourhood." "He wrote me," said Mamie, "that he had a touch of influenza. It seems extraordinary that influenza should prove so serious? He was strong, he was in good health----" The other's air implied that she did not find it necessary to discuss this either. "People die of influenza, or the results of it, every year," she said. "The doctor will give you any information you may desire, no doubt. You must excuse me--I may be wanted."