He tried to persuade me to change my mind and say I wouldn't go. 'It is not a pleasant spectacle which we expect to see. You must forgive my reminding you that your husband has been buried a fortnight.' 'My husband? My husband's not in that coffin. I'm sure of it.' 'How can you be sure of it?' 'Because he's alive: I know that he's alive. Do you--do you think I'd be talking to you like this if I didn't know? I was afraid at first, but now I know that my James is alive. He keeps talking to me all the time.' He looked puzzled; exchanging glances with Mr. FitzHoward. 'My dear lady, I beg that you will not be too sanguine. I admit that complications have arisen which I had not foreseen, but I am still convinced that my brother was your husband, and that he lies buried at Cressland. Don't raise any airy fabrics of hope, or the disappointment may be greater than you will be able to bear. Besides, if you are right, then your husband was not my brother, and you are no relation of mine--which is absurd.' 'Not so absurd as that I should be a relation of yours--the likes of me!' 'The likes of you! Do you know that the differences of which you are thinking are only on the surface? In an incredibly short time they'll disappear, and you'll be as great and as fine a lady as any of them all.' 'Never! I'll never be a lady; and as for a fine lady--not me!' 'Marchioness--' 'Don't call me that! It's not my name! It sounds as if you were laughing at me.' 'Sister--' 'I'm not your sister. I'm just Mrs. James Merrett of Little Olive Street.' 'Mrs. Merrett then: if you like I'll always call you Mrs. Merrett.' 'That's my name.' 'I wish to convey to you my personal assurance that if you are the person I believe you to be, I shall welcome you and your children, and shall be proud to call myself your brother.' 'I'm sure--I'm sure--if I am your sister you shan't be any more ashamed of me than I can help.' 'I shall not be ashamed of you. Never be afraid of that. Only, if you will come with us to-morrow, don't allow yourself to be buoyed up by delusions. Be prepared to face the facts--as my sister should do.' 'It's no delusion that my James is alive. Whether he's your brother, or whether he isn't, I know that he's alive.' As the day went on I grew more sure of it. When they had gone, and I was alone again with the children while they played, I sat there feeling that if it wasn't for my stupidity I could soon find out what James wanted. He wanted something; that I knew. What it was, I couldn't think. I couldn't hear his voice, as I had done before, but I knew that he was trying all the time to get something into my head, which, if I wasn't so silly, I should understand. I'd a sort of feeling that he wanted to tell me where he was; to get me to come to him; to get him out of trouble. That he was in trouble of some sort I was sure.