At this moment Maud's thoughts had wandered back
to a Christmas of her childhood, when she had sat just as to-night
with her aunt, and had for the first time listened to those
teachings which had moulded her life. The intervening years were
swept away, and she was once more the thoughtful, wondering child,
conscious of the great difference between herself and her
companions; in spite of herself learning to regard the world in
which they moved as something in which she had no part. Of those
school companions a few came back to her mind, and, before all, the
poor girl named Ida Starr, whom she had loved and admired. What had
become of Ida, after she had been sent away from Miss Rutherford's
school? She remembered that last meeting with her in the street, on
the evening of Christmas Day, and could see her face.
The house door was opened, and Maud heard a voice outside which held
her to the spot where she stood. Then Theresa re-entered the room,
and after her came Paul Enderby.
He seemed to be wearing a disguise; at all events his clothing was
that of a working man, poor and worn, and his face was changed by
the growth of a beard. He shivered with cold, and, as Miss Bygrave
closed the door behind him, stood with eyes sunk to the ground, in
an attitude of misery and shame.
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