2
GROUND 116
IX. THE INDIAN MAIL 135
X. THE HARPERS' HOME 150
XI. GREAT NEWS 164
XII. '"CAMILLA" AND "MARGARET," YES' 181
XIII. MAMMA 192
XIV. A COURAGEOUS PLEADER 206
XV. LADY MYRTLE'S INTENTIONS 224
XVI. A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT 239
XVII. TWO DEGREES OF HONESTY 255
XVIII. I WILL THINK IT OVER 270
XIX. UNCLE MARMY'S GATES 281
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
THE OLD LADY TAPPED HER STICK IMPATIENTLY ON THE HARD GRAVEL Frontispiece
AND THEN FRANCES RELATED THE WHOLE, MARGARET LISTENING INTENTLY TILL ALMOST THE END Page 75
JACINTH'S BROWS CONTRACTED, AND THE LINES OF HER DELICATE FACE HARDENED, BUT SHE SAID NOTHING 141
JACINTH SAT DOWN ON A STOOL AT LADY MYRTLE'S FEET AND LOOKED UP IN HER FACE 177
'IT IS SO GOOD OF YOU, MEETING ME LIKE THIS,' THE YOUNGER WOMAN WHISPERED 207
'AH WELL!' SAID LADY MYRTLE, 'ANOTHER DREAM VANISHED!' 243
CHAPTER I.
THE HOUSE IN THE LANE.
It stood not very far from the corner--the corner where the lane turned off from the high-road. And it suited its name, or its name suited it. It was such a pretty, cosy-looking house, much larger really than it seemed at the first glance, for it spread out wonderfully at the back.
It was red too--the out-jutting front, where the deep porch was, looking specially red, in contrast with the wings, which were entirely covered with ivy, while this centre was kept clear of any creepers. And high up, almost in the roof, two curious round windows, which caught and reflected the sunset glow--for the front was due west--over the top of the wall, itself so ivy grown that it seemed more like a hedge, might easily have been taken as representing two bright, watchful eyes. For these windows were, or always looked as if they were, spotlessly clean and shining.
'What a quaint name! how uncommon and picturesque!' people u