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"Dear--Mrs Fitzpiers," said Felice Charmond, with some inward turmoil

which stopped her speech "I have not seen you for a long time"

She held out her hand tentatively, while Grace stood like a wild ani product of

civilization Was it really Mrs Charer fornified

"I want to talk with you," said Mrs Char woh "Can you walk on with

me till we are quite alone?"

Sick with distaste, Grace nevertheless complied, as by clockwork and

they moved evenly side by side into the deeper recesses of the woods

They went farther, o; but

she could not begin her conversation, and in default of it kept walking

"I have seen your father," she at length resumed "And--I am much

troubled by what he told me"

"What did he tell you? I have not been ad he may have said to you"