‘I don’t wish to prevent your speaking to him.  You know what I want.’  Henrietta came up and kissed her, and bade her good night.  ’I think I am the unhappiest woman in all London,’ she said, sobbing hysterically.

‘Is it my fault, mamma?’

’You could save me from much if you would.  I work like a horse, and I never spend a shilling that I can help.  I want nothing for myself,—­ nothing for myself.  Nobody has suffered as I have.  But Felix never thinks of me for a moment.’

‘I think of you, mamma.’

’If you did you would accept your cousin’s offer.  What right have you to refuse him?  I believe it is all because of that young man...