'Nearly four years,' she replied. 'He was the most generous of men; Mrs. Rook's interest in him may surely have been a grateful interest. He may have been kind to her in past years—and she may remember him thankfully. Don't you think so?'
Alban was unable to agree with her. 'If Mrs. Rook's interest in your father was the harmless interest that you have suggested,' he said, 'why should she have checked herself in that unaccountable manner, when she first asked me if he was living? The more I think of it now, the less sure I feel that she knows anything at all of your family history. It may help me to decide, if you will tell me at what time the death of your mother took place.'
'So long ago,' Emily replied, 'that I can't even remember her death. I was an infant at the time.'
'And yet Mrs. Rook asked me if your 'parents' were living! One of two things,' Alban concluded. 'Either there is some mystery in this matter, which we cannot hope to penetrate at present—or Mrs. Rook may have been speaking at random; on the chance of discovering whether you are related to some 'Mr. Brown' whom she once knew.'
'Besides,' Emily added, 'it's only fair to remember what a common family name mine is, and how easily people may make mistakes. I should like to know if my dear lost father was really in her mind when she spoke to you. Do you think I could find it out?'
'If Mrs. Rook has any reasons for concealment, I believe you would have no chance of finding it out—unless, indeed, you could take her by surprise.'
'In what way, Mr. Morris?'
'Only one way occurs to me just now,' he said. 'Do you happen to have a miniature or a photograph of your father?'
Emily held out a handsome locket, with a monogram in diamonds, attached to her watch chain. 'I have his photograph here,' she rejoined; 'given to me by my dear old aunt, in the days of her prosperity. Shall I show it to Mrs. Rook?'
'Yes—if she happens, by good luck, to offer you an opportunity.'
Impatient to try the experiment, Emily rose as he spoke. 'I mustn't keep Mrs. Rook waiting,' she said.
Alban stopped her, on the point of leaving him. The confusion and hesitation which she had already noticed began to show themselves in his manner once more.
'Miss Emily, may I ask you a favor before you go? I am only one of the masters employed in the school; but I don't think—let me say, I hope I am not guilty of presumption—if I offer to be of some small service to one of my pupils—'
There his embarrassment mastered him. He despised himself not only for yielding to his own weakness, but for faltering like a fool in the expression of a simple request. The next words died away on his lips.
This time, Emily understood him.
The subtle penetration which had long since led her to the discovery of his secret—overpowered, thus far, by the absorbing interest of the moment—now recovered its activity. In an instant, she remembered that Alban's motive for cautioning her, in her coming intercourse with Mrs. Rook, was not the merely friendly motive which might have actuated him, in the case of one of the other girls. At the same time, her quickness of apprehension warned her not to risk encouraging this persistent lover, by betraying any embarrassment on her side. He was evidently anxious to be present (in her interests) at the interview with Mrs. Rook. Why not? Could he reproach her with raising false hope, if she accepted his services, under circumstances of doubt and difficulty which he had himself been the first to point out? He could do nothing of the sort. Without waiting until he had recovered himself, she answered him (to all appearances) as composedly as if he had spoken to her in the plainest terms.
'After all that you have told me,' she said, 'I shall indeed feel obliged if you will be present when I see Mrs. Rook.'
The eager brightening of his eyes, the flush of happiness that made him look young on a sudden, were signs not to be mistaken. The sooner they were in the presence of a third person (Emily privately concluded) the better it might be for both of them. She led the way rapidly to the house.
CHAPTER IX. MRS. ROOK AND THE LOCKET.
As mistress of a prosperous school, bearing a widely-extended reputation, Miss Ladd prided herself on the liberality of her household arrangements. At breakfast and dinner, not only the solid comforts but the elegant luxuries of the table, were set before the young ladies 'Other schools may, and no doubt do, offer to pupils the affectionate care to which they have been accustomed under the parents' roof,' Miss Ladd used to say. 'At my school, that care extends to their meals, and provides them with a
An agreeable surprise awaited Mrs. Rook when she entered the house of bountiful Miss Ladd.
Luncheon was ready for Sir Jervis Redwood's confidential emissary in the waiting-room. Detained at the final rehearsals of music and recitation, Miss Ladd was worthily represented by cold chicken and ham, a fruit tart, and a pint decanter of generous sherry. 'Your mistress is a perfect lady!' Mrs. Rook said to the servant, with a burst of enthusiasm. 'I can carve for myself, thank you; and I don't care how long Miss Emily keeps me waiting.'
As they ascended the steps leading into the house, Alban asked Emily if he might look again at her locket.
'Shall I open it for you?' she suggested.
'No: I only want to look at the outside of it.'
He examined the side on which the monogram appeared, inlaid with diamonds. An inscription was engraved beneath.
'May I read it?' he said.
'Certainly!'
