or linsey while I'm with you--and
Lettice can run about and save steps to us all. What think you?--said I
well?"

"Very well indeed, my dear: I were fain to have you."

"Then you'll look for us. Good-morrow!" The last evening was a busy
one for all parties, and there was little time to spare for indulgence
in remembrance or regret. It was two hours later than usual, when
Lettice at last lay down to sleep and even then, sleep seemed long in
coming. She heard her Aunt Edith's soft movements in the neighbouring
gallery, where she was putting final touches to the packing, and
presently they slid unconsciously into the sound of the waterfall at
Skiddaw Force, by the side of which Lettice was climbing up to the Tower
of London. She knew nothing of the tender, cheerful "Good-night, Mother
dear!" given to Lady Louvaine--of the long, pathetic gaze at the moonlit
landscape--of the silently-sobbed prayer, and the passionate rain of
tears--such different tears from those of Faith!--which left a wet stain
upon Edith's coverlet. It was hard to leave the old home--hard to leave
the new graves. But the next thing the young niece heard was
only--"Time to rise, Lettice!" spoken in the usual bright manner--and,
looking up, she saw Aunt Edith fully dressed.

Lettice sprang up in a fright, and scrambled into her clothes with all
the haste possible. She, who was to have helped Aunt Edith, to be fast
asleep in bed when she was ready! It was not many minutes before
Lettice was dressed, but her morning prayer had in it sundry things
which were not prayers.

Breakfast was nearly over when a curious rolling sound was heard,
followed by the tramp of horses: and Aubrey jumped up to look, for it
was half-an-hour too soon for the baggage-horses to be brought. He had
to run into the porch-chamber to see what it was, and before he returned
came old Roger the serving-man, with a letter in his hand, which he gave
to his mistress. She opened the letter, but finding it somewhat
difficult for dim eyes to make out, she gave it back to Roger, desiring
him to read it. [Note 2.] So Roger read:--

"Madam,--Since I need be in London this next weekend, where I look to
tarry some time, and am offered a seat in my good Lord of
Northumberland's caroche, it were pity that my caroche should go
thither empty, in especial when so good and old a friend is likewise
on her journey. May I therefore beg that your Ladyship will so far
favour me