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‘I know that, guardian. But I have such need of your ad-
vice and support. Oh! You don’t know how much need I
have to-night.’
He looked unprepared for my being so earnest, and even
a little alarmed.
‘Or how anxious I have been to speak to you,’ said I, ‘ever
since the visitor was here to-day.’
‘The visitor, my dear! Sir Leicester Dedlock?’
‘Yes.’
He folded his arms and sat looking at me with an air of
the profoundest astonishment, awaiting what I should say
next. I did not know how to prepare him.
‘Why, Esther,’ said he, breaking into a smile, ‘our visi-
tor and you are the two last persons on earth I should have
thought of connecting together!’
‘Oh, yes, guardian, I know it. And I too, but a little while
ago.’
The smile passed from his face, and he became graver
than before. He crossed to the door to see that it was shut
(but I had seen to that) and resumed his seat before me.
‘Guardian,’ said I, ‘do you remensher, when we were
overtaken by the thunder-storm, Lady Dedlock’s speaking
to you of her sister?’
‘Of course. Of course I do.’
‘And reminding you that she and her sister had differed,
had gone their several ways?’
‘Of course.’
‘Why did they separate, guardian?’
His face quite altered as he looked at me. ‘My child, what

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