a street corner with hardly a rag on their backs; and to think of her
marching off with him, and never a thought of my anxiety--and the way I
went rushing up and down the streets--and the policemen--they are
perfectly useless to help a person, but can only stare at you and grin.
I'm sure I never expected to light eyes on her again, and I lost my
purse and my best umbrella; I left them both somewhere, but it was nigh
on two hours I spent, and my shopping not near done, and he the greatest
looking rascal that one might see coming out of jail. I'm sure I
shouldn't have been so angry but to see her smiling face, as if she
hadn't done any wrong at all, nor disobeyed me flatly, and most likely
put herself in the way of catching the most infectious disease from the
very look of him, and run the risk of being robbed and perhaps murdered,
and not an idea in her head that she was a very naughty child, but
quite expected me to see the reasonableness of it all!"

Nurse stopped for breath, whilst Milly's hanging head, heaving chest,
and quick sobs showed that by this time nurse's words had quite
convinced her of her wrong-doing.

Sir Edward was surprised at the interest he felt in his little niece's
trouble.

"I am afraid I cannot understand your story, nurse," he said quietly;
"but I daresay Miss Millicent will tell me herself. Come into the study,
child, with me."

He took her hand in his, and led her away, while nurse looked after him
in astonishment, and Ford, the old butler, standing by, said with great
solemnity,--