'If there were, I am sure you had better not try to find it out
beforehand.'

'You don't think I would do anything of _that sort?_ But I thought
you might know. Do you remember their first settling here?'

'Scarcely. I was a very small child then.'

Miss Nugent had a few vague recollections which she did not think it
expedient to mention. A dim remembrance rose before her of
mysterious whisperings about that beautiful young widow, and that it
had been said that the rector of the Old Church had declared himself
to know the ladies well, and had heartily recommended them. She
thought it wiser only to speak of having been one of their first
scholars, telling of the awe Miss Headworth inspired; but the
pleasure it was to bring a lesson to pretty Mrs. Egremont, who always
rewarded a good one with a kiss, 'and she was so nice to kiss--yes,
and is.'

'Aunt Ursel and mother both were governesses,' continued the girl,
'and yet they don't want me to go out. They had rather I was a
teacher at the High School.'

'They don't want to trust their Little Bear out in the world.'

'I think it is more than that,' said the girl. 'I can't help
thinking that he--my father--must have been some one rather grand,
with such a beautiful name as Alwyn Piercefield Egremont. Yes; I
know it was that, for I saw my baptismal certificate when I stood for