nature of his claim on her might be seemed less intelligible--unless it
was the claim of a poor relation. Had Mrs. Vanstone ever mentioned, in
the presence of her daughters, the name of Captain Wragge? Neither
of them recollected to have heard it before. Had Mrs. Vanstone ever
referred to any poor relations who were dependent on her? On the
contrary she had mentioned of late years that she doubted having any
relations at all who were still living. And yet Captain Wragge had
plainly declared that the name on his card would recall "a family
matter" to Mrs. Vanstone's memory. What did it mean? A false statement,
on the stranger's part, without any intelligible reason for making it?
Or a second mystery, following close on the heels of the mysterious
journey to London?

All the probabilities seemed to point to some hidden connection between
the "family affairs" which had taken Mr. and Mrs. Vanstone so suddenly
from home and the "family matter" associated with the name of Captain
Wragge. Miss Garth's doubts thronged back irresistibly on her mind as
she sealed her letter to Mrs. Vanstone, with the captain's card added by
way of inclosure.

By return of post the answer arrived.

Always the earliest riser among the ladies of the house, Miss Garth was
alo ne in the breakfast-room when the letter was brought in. Her first
glance at its contents convinced her of the necessity of reading it
carefully through in retirement, before any embarrassing questions could
be put to her. Leaving a message with the servant requesting Norah to
make the tea that morning, she went upstairs at once to the solitude and
security of her own room.