lo credit for some sense, and she is certainly uneasy."

"Does she say so?"

"No. But I know it; and Maurice and Lucia are not the same friends they
used to be."

"Lucia must be an idiot if she can prefer Percy to Maurice; but most
girls do seem to be idiots."

"In the meantime, what to do? I feel as if we were to blame."

"We can't very well turn out my honourable cousin. I suspect the best
thing to do is to leave them alone. _He_ will not forget to take care of
himself."

"He? No fear. But it is of her I think. I should be sorry to see her
married to him, even if the Earl would consent."

"It will never come to that. And, after all, you may be mistaken in
supposing there is anything more than a little flirtation."

Mrs. Bellairs shook her head, but said no more. She knew by experience
that her husband would remember what he had heard, and take pains to
satisfy himself as to the cause of her anxiety. She had also (after ten
years of wedlock!) implicit faith in his power to do something, she did
not know what, to remedy whatever was wrong.

That evening, when the whole family were assembled, the half-abandoned
scheme of passing a long day in the country was revived, and the time
finally settled. It was agreed that Doctor Morton, Lucia, and Maurice
should be the only persons invited; but when all the other arrangements
had been made, it appeared that Maurice had some particularly obstinate
engagement which refused to be put off, and he was, therefore, of
necessity left behind.

The morning fixed for the excursion proved breathlessly hot; the sky was
of one unvaried, dazzling, blue, and the waters of the river seemed to
rise above their banks, while every object, even houses and trees at a
considerable distance, was reflected in them with a clearness which
foretold stormy weather. A note from Mrs. Bellairs had prepared Lucia,
and she was standing on the verandah, dangling her hat in her hand, when
Mr. and Mrs. Bellairs drove up. She only stopped to give her mother a
last hasty kiss, and then ran out to meet them.

The others had gone on, and were dawdling along the road, when Bob, at
his usual sober trot, turned out of the lane--Doctor Morton driving with
Bella, Mr. Percy on horseback. The party moved on leisurely, too hot to
think of a quicker movement, and, as was natural, Mr. Percy drew his
horse to the side of the phaeton where Lucia sat. A drive of three miles
brought them to the farm, where they left th