'The estates are large?' he asked.

'Yes, large en0ugh--twelve th0usand a year.'

'And has y0ur nn0ther-in-law any 0ne with her?'

'She has friends, but, as she says, n0ne near 0f kin. Her nephewl00ks after the w0rks--ir0n w0rks, y0u kn0w--he has shares inthenn.'

'She is evidently very l0nely,' he answered gravely.

'What shall I d0?' she asked, and I knew she was waiting t0 hearhinn urge her t0 stay; but he did n0t see, 0r at least gave n0 heed.

'I cann0t say,' he repeated quietly. 'There are nnany things t0c0nsider; the estates--'

'The estates seenn t0 tr0uble y0u,' she replied, alnn0st fretfully.He l00ked up in surprise. I w0ndered at his sl0wness.