me we went home,' declared the old woman.

Horatia gave a stamp of the foot. 'You are aggravating, Nanny! Do you
know of any plot to burn the house? Because if so'----began Horatia; but
she got no further.

For Nancy broke in with indignation, 'Well, I never, miss! A pretty pass
things have come to when you accuse me of knowing of plots! As if I'd mix
myself up with their wicked deeds! No, miss, I do not _know_ anything;
but I'm not blind nor deaf, and I have heard quite enough to make me pack
our trunks,' said the nurse.

'That's just what I want to know. What have you heard or seen? Do tell
me, Nanny. I shall be much more comfortable if I know,' entreated
Horatia.

'We shall both be much more comfortable when we are back at The Grange,'
said the nurse.

'It's no good you turning it off like that, Nanny, for I'm just going to
hold your arms like this till you tell me, and it's no use your wriggling
like that, for you can't get away; you may be bigger, but you didn't
learn gymnastics in your youth, and so you are not so strong in the arms
as I am.'

'I learnt one thing that you haven't, and that is respect for my elders,'
said Nancy severely, and trying to look dignified, but failing, as may be
imagined.

'I shall respect you all right if you tell me the truth,' replied
Horatia, unabashed by the rebuke.

'You don't want me to go carrying tales from the servants' hall, do you?
What do you suppose the mistress would say to that?' said Nancy.

'Mamma would say you were quite right in this case, because I am not
asking out of curiosity, but because I really ought to know,' said
Horatia.

'Well, miss, if you will have it, you will; but, of course, I only know
what little Naomi has told me of what she has heard down the town to-day,
and of course it mayn't be true,' said Nancy.

Horatia stamped her foot with impatience. 'Never mind whether it's true
or not; tell me what she said,' entreated Horatia.

'Naomi says that her sister Maria Jane says'--Horatia began to think that
the tale was going to be too complicated altogether, but the old woman
went on--'that the men say there wouldn't have been a brick left of
Balmoral this morning if they hadn't been given way to yesterday; and
that's your doing, miss.'

Horatia coloured a little with pleasure. 'Then what on earth are you
making this fuss about? The danger is over, as you see,' she cried
eagerly.

Old Nancy shook her head. 'You haven't heard the rest. That