any more to-day. Whether the lady was
watched, and her impatience detected, through the hole in the door, or
whether humanity suggested that the unhappy creature should be permitted
an hour of solitude on such an occasion, the woman was called down, and
did not immediately return.

How impatiently, then, were the papers seized! How unsettled was the
eye which ran over the columns, while the mind was too feverish to
comprehend what it read! In a little while, however, the ordinary
method of newspaper reading established itself, and she went on from one
item to another with more amusement than anxiety. In this mood, and
with the utmost suddenness, she came upon the announcement, in large
letters, of "The Funeral of Lady Carse!" It was even so! In one paper
was a paragraph intimating the threatening illness of Lady Carse; in the
next, the announcement of her death; in the third, a full account of her
funeral, as taking place from her husband's house.

Her fate was now clear. She was lost to the world for ever! In the
midst of the agony of this doom she could yet be stung by the thought
that this was the cause of Lord Lovat's complaisance in sending her the
newspapers; that here was the reason of the only indulgence which had
been permitted her!

As for the rest, her mind made short work of it. Her object must now be
to confound her foes--to prove to the world that she was not dead and
buried. From this place she could not do this. Here there was no scope
and no hope. In travelling, and in her future residence, there might be
a thousand opportunities. She could not stay here another hour, and so
she sent word to Mr Forster. His reply was that he should be happy to
escort her that night. From the stair-head she told him that she could
not wait till night. He declared it impossible to make provision for
her comfort along the road without a few hours' notice by a horseman
sent forward. The messenger was already saddling his horse, and by nine
in the evening the rest of the party would follow.

At nine the lady was on her pillion, but now comfortably clad in a
country dress--homely, but warm. It was dark, but she was informed that
the party thoroughly knew their road, and that in four or five days they
should have the benefit of the young moon.

So, after four or five days, they were to be still travelling! Where
could they be carrying her?

CHAPTER FIVE.

CROSS ROADS AND SHORT SEAS.

Where the