f a drive."

Rhoda's annoyance seemed to have vanished from her mind as well as from
her countenance; and Madam took no notice of Phoebe's disturbed looks.
The Maidens' Lodge, was first visited, and a messenger sent in to ask
Lady Betty if she were inclined to take the air. Lady Betty accepted
the offer, and was so considerate as not to keep Madam wailing more than
ten minutes. No further invitation was offered, and the coach rumbled
away in the direction of Gloucester.

For a time Phoebe heard little of the conversation between the elder
ladies, and Rhoda, as usual in her grandmother's presence, was almost
silent. At length she woke up to a remark made by Lady Betty.

"Then you think, Madam, to send for Gatty and Molly?"

"That is my design, my Lady Betty. 'Twill be a diversion for Rhoda; and
Sir Richard was so good as to say they should come if I would."

"Indeed, I think he would be easy to have them from home, Madam, till
they may see if Betty's disorder be the small-pox or no."

"When did Betty return home, my Lady?"

"But last Tuesday. 'Tis not possible that her sisters have taken aught
of her, for she had been ailing some days ere she set forth, and they
have bidden at home all the time. You will be quite safe, Madam."

"So I think, my Lady Betty," replied Madam. "Rhoda, have you been
listening?"

"No, Madam," answered Rhoda, demurely.

"Then 'tis time you should, my dear," said Madam, graciously. "I will
acquaint you of the affair. I think to write to Lady Delawarr, and ask
the favour of Mrs Gatty and Mrs Molly to visit me. Their sister Mrs
Betty, as I hear, is come home from the Bath, extreme distempered; and
'tis therefore wise to send away Mrs Gatty and little Mrs Molly until
Mrs Betty be recovered of her disorder. I would have you be very nice
toward them, that they shall find their visit agreeable."

"How long will they stay, Madam?" inquired Rhoda.

"Why, child, that must hang somewhat on Mrs Betty's recovering. I take
it, it shall be about a month; but should her distemper be tardy of
disappearing, it shall then be something longer."

"Jolly!" was the sound which seemed to Phoebe to issue in an undertone
from the lips of Rhoda. But the answer which reached her grandmother's
ears was merely a sedate "Yes, Madam."

"I take it, my Lady Betty," observed Madam, turning to her companion,
"that the sooner the young gentlewomen are away, the better shall it
be."

"Oh, surely, Madam!