"There was my little Clair left to me, dear; and life means, not love alone, but duty. I am glad I lived to take care of my child. Do you expect to be married soon, Charlotte?"
"When in your position, dear, one thinks one generally knows. I should not be a false prophet if I said for certain this year."
"He is noble and good," said Charlotte, enthusiastically.
"And loves you with his whole heart, as you love him."
"You must introduce me to him," said Mrs. Grantham, "when he comes to London."
"Oh, but he is in London," said Charlotte simply. "He lives here."
Mrs. Grantham looked at her in astonishment.
Charlotte's face grew scarlet; she dared not answer the question.
"Never mind, dear," said Mrs. Grantham, pitying her confusion; "but you understand that I wish to know him, for your sake."
"I understand. Mrs. Grantham, I ought not to keep anything from you. The reason why Mr. Dixon does not come to see me here, is that he and my brother are not exactly friends. They had a disagreement in business, and that is how the trouble occurred. Do not say anything to my brother about it; it might make him angry."
"Oh, no," said Charlotte, without thinking, "he could not be angry with you."
"With you, then?" said Mrs. Grantham, her mind half on Charlotte and half on herself.
"I don't know how it is," said Charlotte, in a tone of distress, "but I seem to be saying things I ought not to speak of. If I were clever it would not happen."
"You are clever, dear, and you are good; that is why I love you."
"If I only thought that what I have said without intending it, and what perhaps I have made you think without intending it, wouldn't make you run away from us----"
"I will not run away, Charlotte. If you wish it, I will stay as long as I have promised."
"I do wish it; with all my heart I wish it. I never had a friend like you; I never had a sister----"
But here Charlotte quite broke down; her sobs would not allow her to proceed.
"There, there, dear," said Mrs. Grantham, soothing her. "Tears on your birthday! Why, Charlotte, what are you thinking of? And with a true friend by your side----!"
"I know, I know," murmured Charlotte. "I am very ungrateful."
"You are a dear, loveable young woman, and you have won my heart. And who knows whether I may not be able to help you just where you most need help? There is a knock at the door. Don't move; no one must catch you crying, or they will have a bad opinion of me. I will go and see who it is."