“This is my sister, Mrs. Twiley,” said Mrs. Dollman some time later. “She and her husband are my only relatives, and whoever knows me, speedily knows them, for they are good enough to spend a great deal of time with me.” “Your sister! You make me feel quite envious. I have neither sister nor brother, and have often felt rather lonely in consequence.” “But you have other relatives?” “Oh, yes! I have the best father in the world. And my aunt--God bless her!--has been the most tender and affectionate of mothers to me.” “Then, after all, you ought to be happy, in our opinion, for it has always seemed to us that young people without a parental home are the most to be commiserated.” “And yet, with every possible advantage of home and family, one may be overtaken by troubles beside which the mere death of a loved one is comparative happiness.” As the beautiful stranger uttered the last words, her eyes darkened with grief, and her whole appearance betokened the most bitter sorrow. Both Millie and Phœbe were stricken with sudden awe before this brief glimpse of an anguish which evidently surpassed anything they had ever dreamed of, and their hearts went out tenderly towards Miss Stratton. Very quickly, however, the latter regained control of herself, and five minutes later the sisters were ready to doubt whether she was not one of the happiest of mortals. “Have you any boarders in the house, Mrs. Dollman?” she inquired presently, while occupied in despatching the refreshing meal which had been promptly ordered for her. As she waited for a reply she toyed with her teaspoon, patted her big dog on the head, and altogether looked so carelessly unconcerned, that much more suspicious people than those she had to deal with would have been slow to fancy that her question was one of vital import to her, or that she was listening for the reply with every nerve tingling with anxiety. “Only four,” was Phœbe’s answer. “We have a Mr. Everton and his wife. They have been here six months, and are likely to remain here. Then there are two single gentlemen, Mr. Grice and Mr. Staines.” Miss Stratton’s heart leapt at this answer, yet she received it with apparent indifference, although it relieved her of a great anxiety. Suppose Mr. Gregory Staines, whose presence here was really her sole reason for coming to Lina, had suddenly taken it into his head to seek fresh quarters! She did not doubt her ability to trace him again. But each delay that occurred before running the man to earth prolonged the sufferings of the man whose liberty she had sworn to secure, and she was thankful to have found him at last. Contrary to Phœbe’s expectation, she betrayed not the slightest further interest in the other lodgers, but conversed for awhile pleasantly on other topics, inquiring carefully about the neighbouring scenery under the pretence of being anxious to take some local views.