, as an
excuse for getting her here, I must say to Mrs. Hare that you are ill,
and wish Barbara to come for the day and bear your company. Shall I?"

"Say I am dead, if you like," responded Miss Corny, who was in one of
her cross moods.

Mr. Carlyle ordered the pony carriage, and drove forth with John. He
drew in at the grove. Barbara and Mrs. Hare were seated together, and
looked surprised at the early visit.

"Do you want Mr. Hare, Archibald? He is out. He went while the breakfast
was on the table, apparently in a desperate hurry."

"I don't want Mr. Hare; I want Barbara. I have come to carry her off."

"To carry off Barbara!" echoed Mrs. Hare.

"Cornelia is not well; she had caught a violent cold, and wishes Barbara
to spend the day with her."

"Oh, Mr. Carlyle, I cannot leave mamma to-day. She is not well herself,
and she would be dull without me."

"Neither can I spare her, Archibald. It is not a day for Barbara to go
out."

How could he get to say a word to Barbara alone? Whilst he deliberated,
talking on, though, all the while to Mrs. Hare, a servant appeared at
the sitting-room door.

"The fishmonger's boy is come up, ma'am. His master has sent him to say
that he fears there'll be no fish in to-day, in anything like time. The
trains won't get up, with this weather."

Mrs. Hare rose from her seat to hold a confab at the door with the maid;
and Mr. Carlyle seized his opportunity.

"Barbara," he whispered, "make no opposition. You _must_ come. What I
really want you for is connected with Richard."

She looked up at him, a startled glance, and the crimson flew to her
face. Mrs. Hare returned to her seat. "Oh, such a day!" she shivered. "I
am sure Cornelia cannot expect Barbara."

"But Cornelia does. And there is my pony carriage waiting to take her
before I go to the office. Not a flake of snow can come near her, Mrs.
Hare. The large warm apron will be up, and an umbrella shield her bonnet
and face. Get your things on, Barbara."

"Mamma if you would not very much mind being left, I should like to go,"
said Barbara, with almost trembling eagerness.

"But you would be sure to take cold, child."

"Oh, dear no. I can wrap up well."

"And I will see that she comes home all right this evening," added Mr.
Carlyle.

In a few minutes they were seated in the pony carriage. Barbara's tongue
was burning to ask questions, but John sat behind them, and would have
overheard. When they arrived at East Lynne