she said. "Twelve pound by the year we
agreed on, and thou hast been with me scarce a year; howbeit, twelve
pound let it be. And for the ill-conveniency I put thee to, to send
thee away thus suddenly, thou shalt have another pound, and my flowered
tabby gown. Thou wilt soon win another place if thou list to tarry in
service, and my mother hath promised to commend thee heartily to any
gentlewoman that would have thee.

"So cheer up, child; there is no need for thee to fret."

Jenny felt as if she had considerable need to fret. Here were all her
distinctions flying away from her at a minute's notice. Instead of
being Mrs Jenny, and sitting in the drawing-room at Bentley Hall, she
would once more be plain Jenny Lavender in the farmhouse kitchen. It
was true her freedom would return to her; but by this time she had
become accustomed to the restraint, and did not mind it nearly so much.
The tears overflowed and ran down.

"Come, come, child!" said Mrs Jane, giving her a gentle pat on the
shoulder; "take not on thus, prithee. Thy life is yet before thee.
Cheer up and play the woman! Ah, Jenny, maid, 'tis well for thee thou
art not so high up as some I could name, and therefore shalt fall the
lighter. Now go, and pack up thy mails, and Robin shall take thee and
them to the farm this evening."

"Must I go to-day, madam?" exclaimed Jenny, more dismayed than ever.

"I go myself to-day, Jenny," said Mrs Jane, gently but gravely. "The
matter will brook no delay. Take thine heart to thee, and do as I bid
thee: thou wert best be out of it all."

Poor Jenny went slowly up to the garret to fetch her bags, which had
been stowed there out of the way.

As she came down with them in her hands, she met Millicent.

"You've had warning, have you?" said Millicent, in a whisper. "There's
somewhat wrong, you take my word for it! You make haste and get away,
and thank your stars you've a good home to go to. We're all to go,
every soul save two--old Master's Diggory and me."

"What, Mr Featherstone too?" exclaimed Jenny.

"Oh, he's going with the Colonel to France. But Master and Madam, they
set forth to-morrow, and Diggory and I go with them. Mark my words,
there's somewhat wrong! and if it goes much further, I shall just give
my warning and be off. I've no notion of getting into trouble for other
folks."

"But whatever is it all about?" said Jenny.

"Well, if you want my thoughts on it," whispered Millicent, in an