n. You
will probably then have to go home to London alone; but do not mind it.
The worst part for you will be in going from the station to the Crescent;
but nobody will molest you in a four-wheel cab: you have done it before.
However, he will tell you if this is necessary when he gets back. I can
best fight my battles alone. You shall have a letter from me the day
after to-morrow, stating where I am. I shall not be here.'

'But what is it so dreadful?'

'Nothing to frighten you.' But she spoke with a breathlessness that
completely nullified the assurance. 'It is merely that I find I must
come to an explanation with Lord Mountclere before I can live here
permanently, and I cannot stipulate with him while I am here in his
power. Till I write, good-bye. Your things are not unpacked, so let
them remain here for the present--they can be sent for.'

Poor Picotee, more agitated than her sister, but never questioning her
orders, went downstairs and out of the house. She ran across the
shrubberies, into the park, and to the gate whereat Sol had emerged some
half-hour earlier. She trotted along upon the turnpike road like a lost
doe, crying as she went at the new trouble which had come upon Berta,
whatever that trouble might be. Behind her she heard wheels and the
stepping of a horse, but she was too concerned to turn her head. The
pace of the vehicle slackened, however, when it was abreast of Picotee,
and she looked up to see Christopher as the driver.

'Miss Chickerel!' he said, with surprise.

Picotee had quickly looked down again, and she murmured, 'Yes.'

Christopher asked what he could not help asking in the circumstances,
'Would you like to ride?'

'I should be glad,' said she, overcoming her flurry. 'I am anxious to
overtake my brother Sol.'

'I have arranged to pick him up at Corvsgate,' said Christopher.

He descended, and assisted her to mount beside him, and drove on again,
almost in silence. He was inclined to believe that some supernatural
legerdemain had to do with these periodic impacts of Picotee on his path.
She sat mute and melancholy till they were within half-a-mile of
Corvsgate.

'Thank you,' she said then, perceiving Sol upon the road, 'there is my
brother; I will get down now.'

'He was going to ride on to Anglebury with me,' said Julian.

Picotee did not reply, and Sol turned round. Seeing her he instantly
exclaimed, 'What's the matter, Picotee?'

She explained to him that h