'Don't think of it another moment.'

Alice would gladly have retreated, but durst not omit what seemed to her
the essential because the bitterest words.

'I beg your pardon.'

'No, no!' exclaimed Adela quickly. 'Go and lie down a little; you look
so tired. Try not to be unhappy, your husband will not let harm come to
you.'

Alice returned to the house, hating her sister-in-law with a perfect
hatred.

The hated one took her way into Wanley. She had no pleasant
mission--that of letting her mother and Letty know what had happened.
The latter she found in the garden behind the house dancing her baby-boy
up and down in the sunlight. Letty did not look very matronly, it must
be confessed; but what she lacked in mature dignity was made up in
blue-eyed and warm-checked happiness. At the sight of Adela she gave a
cry of joy.

'Why, mother's just getting ready to go and say good-bye to you. As soon
as she comes down and takes this little rogue I shall just slip my own
things on. We didn't think you'd come here.'

'We're not going to-day,' Adela replied, playing with the baby's face.

'Not going?'

'Business prevents Richard.'

'How you frightened us by leaving church yesterday! I was on my way
to ask about you, but Mr. Wyvern met me and said there was nothing the
matter. And you went to Agworth, didn't you?'

'To Belwick. We had to see Mr. Yottle, the solicitor.'

Mrs. Waltham issued from the house, and explanations were again
demanded.

'Could you give baby to the nurse for a few minutes?' Adela asked Letty.
'I should like to speak to you and mother quietly.'

The arrangement was effected and all three went into the sitting-room.
There Adela explained in simple words all that had come to pass;
emotionless herself, but the cause of utter dismay in her hearers. When
she ceased there was blank silence.

Mrs. Waltham was the first to find her voice.

'But surely Mr. Eldon won't take everything from you? I don't think he
has the power to--it wouldn't be just; there must be surely some kind of
provision in the law for such a thing. What did Mr. Yottle say?'

'Only that Mr. Eldon could recover the whole estate.'

'The estate!' exclaimed Mrs. Waltham eagerly. 'But not the money?'

Adela smiled.

'The estate includes the money, mother. It means everything.'

'Oh, Adela!' sighed Letty, who sat with her hands on her lap,
bewildered.

'But surely not Mrs. Rodman's settlement?' cried the elder lady, who was
rapi