light she appeared to be quite old.  Wrinkles showed themselves on her plump face and weary lines appeared round her mouth.  Also, she was absent-minded while the lovers chattered, and, when spoken to, would return to the present moment with a start.  As the widow was now well off as regards money, and as her scheme to marry Braddock was well on the way to success—­for Lucy had duly reported the Professor’s attitude—­it was difficult to understand why Mrs. Jasher should look so worried.  One day Lucy spoke to her on the subject.  Random had strolled across the marshes to look at Hope sketch, and the two men chatted together, while Miss Kendal led the little widow to one side.

“There is nothing the matter, I hope,” said Lucy gently.

“No.  Why do you say that?” asked Mrs. Jasher, flushing.

“You have been looking worried for the last few days.”

“I have a few troubles,” sighed the widow—­“troubles connected with the estate of my late brother.  The lawyers are very disagreeable and make all sorts of difficulties to swell their costs.  Then, strangely enough, I am beginning to feel my brother’s death more than I thought I should have done.  You see that I am in mourning, dear.  After what you said the other day I felt that it was wrong for me not to wear mourning.  Of course my poor brother and I were almost strangers.  All the same, as he has left me money and was my only relative, I think it right to show some grief.  I am a lonely woman, my dear.”

“When my father comes back you will no longer be lonely,” said Lucy.

“I hope not.  I feel that I want a man to look after me.  I told you that I desired to marry the Professor for his possible title and in order to form a salon and have some amusement and power.  But also I want a companion for my old age.  There is no denying,” added Mrs. Jasher with another sigh, “that I am growing old in spite of all the care I take.  I am grateful for your friendship, dear.  At one time I thought that you did not like me.”

“Oh, I think we get on very well together,” said Lucy somewhat evasively, for she did not want to say that she would make the widow an intimate friend, “and, as you know, I am quite pleased that you should marry my step-father.”

“So pleasant to think that you look at my ambition in that light,” said Mrs. Jasher, patting the girl’s arm.  “When does the Professor return?”

“I cannot say.  He refused to fix a date.  But he usually remains away for a fortnight.  I expect him back in that time, but he may come much earlier.  He will come back when the fancy takes him.”

“I shall alter all that, when we are married,” muttered Mrs. Jasher with a frown.  “He must be taught to be less selfish.”

“I fear you will never improve him in that respect,” said Lucy dryly, and rejoined the gentlemen in time to hear Random mention the name of Don Pedro de Gayangos.