“Nothing like it,” began Allan. “My idea of beauty at the present moment—”
Miss Milroy felt it coming, and instantly took her hand off his arm.
“I mean I have never seen either Mrs. Blanchard or her niece,” added Allan, precipitately correcting himself.
Miss Milroy tempered justice with mercy, and put her hand back again.
“How extraordinary that you should never have seen them!” she went on. “Why, you are a perfect stranger to everything and everybody at Thorpe Ambrose! Well, after Miss Blanchard and I had sat and talked a little while, I heard my name on Mrs. Blanchard’s lips and instantly held my breath. She was asking papa if I had finished my education. Out came papa’s great grievance directly. My old governess, you must know, left us to be married just before we came here, and non
