He did not add that the letter was one of Mrs. Chester's usual ones--complaining grievously of hard times, and the impossibility of "getting along." Somehow she seemed not to be able to do that anywhere. She had two hundred a year, and was always plunging into schemes to increase her income. They would turn out well at first, according to her report, promising nothing less than a speedy fortune; and then would come a downfall. In this recent letter, she had implored of Robert Hunter to "lend" her fifty pounds to set her going in Brussels, to which capital she was on the wing, with an excellent opportunity of establishing a first-class school. He sent the money, never expecting to see it again. "Are her children with her?" questioned Lady Ellis. "Only Fanny. The boys are at school in England. And Anna--you remember Anna?" "I should think I do, poor girl. The slave of the whole house." "Anna is here on a visit." "_Here!_" "I mean at Coastdown. She is staying with a Captain and Mrs. Copp, who are some slight relatives of hers." "I have thought of Anna as teacher in a school. Mrs. Chester said she should place her in one." "She is a teacher. This visit is only a temporary one, prolonged on account of Anna's health. She was with Miss Jupp." With the last word, all the reminiscences, as connected with that lady's name and the past, rose up in the mind of Robert Hunter--of a certain Christmas-day, when Mary Jupp had brought some shame home to him: perhaps also to her of the faded face sitting opposite. It brought shame to him still; but, seeing that faded face, he was vexed to have inadvertently mentioned it. "Mary Anne, I think I will go to my room. The fire must have burnt up now. No, don't come with me; I would be quiet for a little while." As she got up from the chair, she staggered. Robert Hunter, who was crossing the room to open the door for her, stopped and offered his arm. He could do no less in common pity: but the time had been when he registered a mental vow that never again should the arm of that woman rest within his. "Thank you: just to the foot of the stairs. I have but little strength left, and the journey to-day has temporarily taken away that. Are you getting on well in your profession, Mr. Hunter?" "Oh, yes. My prospects are very fair." Sinnett happened to be in the hall; her mistress called to her, took her arm, and quitted that of Robert Hunter. He returned to Mary Anne, who was rather sulky still. What with the scene in the afternoon, with the unexpected and not over-welcome appearance of her stepmother, and with this mysterious acquaintanceship, about which nothing had been said to her, the young lady was not in so amiable a mood as usual. "When did you know Lady Ellis?" she abruptly began after an interval of silence. "And where?" "Some years ago; she was staying, for a few months with my half-sister, Mrs. Chester, at Guild."