He has always been almost the same to you as your
own."
"Quite so; quite the same. He is my own." And yet,--she left him in
his illness! She, too, had heard something from Mrs. Hopkins of the
temper in which Mrs. Morton had last left Bragton. "But you are not
bound to him in that way."
"Not in that way certainly."
"In no way, I may say. It was very kind of you to come when
business made it imperative on me to go to town, but I do not think
we can call upon you for further sacrifice."
"It is no sacrifice, Mrs. Morton." Lady Ushant was as meek as a
worm, but a worm will turn. And though innocent, she was quick
enough to perceive that at this, their first meeting, the other old
woman was endeavouring to turn her out of the house.
"I mean that it can hardly be necessary to call upon you to give up
your time."
"What has an old woman to do with her time, Mrs. Morton?"
Hitherto Mrs. Morton had smiled. The smile indeed had been grim,
but it had been intended to betoken outward civility. Now there
came a frown upon her brow which was more grim and by no means
civil. "The truth is that at such a time one who is almost a
stranger--"
"I am no stranger," said Lady Ushant.
"You had not seen him since he was an infant"
"My name was Morton as is his, and my dear father was the owner of
this house.
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