vex poor Miss Charlecote sadly, so pray let no
one suspect, and I will come back and tell you to-morrow, by the time you
are dressed.'

Mrs. Fulmort was so much uplifted by the promise of the grand secret that
she made no more opposition, and Maria and Bertha hurried in with
Phoebe's glove, which, with the peculiar fidelity of property wilfully
lost, had fallen into their hands while searching for Robert. Both
declared they had seen him on the hill, and clamorously demanded him of
Phoebe. Her answer, 'he is not in the forest, you will not find him,'
was too conscious fully to have satisfied the shrewd Bertha, but for the
pleasure of discoursing to the other girls upon double gangers, of whom
she had stealthily read in some prohibited German literature of her
governess's.

Leaving her to astonish them, Phoebe took up a position near Miss
Charlecote, who was talking to the good matronly-looking Lady Raymond,
and on the first opportunity offered herself as a companion. On the way
home, Honor, much pleased, was proposing to find Owen, and walk through a
beautiful and less frequented forest path, when she saw her own carriage
coming up with that from Beauchamp, and lamented the mistake which must
take her away as soon as Owen could be found.

'I ventured to order it,' said Phoebe; 'I thought you might prefer it.
Owen is gone. He left a message with me for you.'

Experience of former blows taught Honora to ask no questions, and to go
through the offices of politeness as usual. But Lady Raymond, long a
friend of hers, though barely acquainted with Mrs. Fulmort, and never
having seen Phoebe before, living as she did on the opposite side of the
county, took a moment for turning round to the young girl, and saying
with a friendly motherly warmth, far from mere curiosity, 'I am sure you
have bad news for Miss Charlecote. I see you cannot speak of it now, but
you must promise me to send to Moorcroft, if Sir John or I can be of any
use.'

Phoebe could only give a thankful grasp of the kind hand. The Raymonds
were rather despised at home for plain habits, strong religious opinions,
and scanty fortunes, but she knew they were Miss Charlecote's great
friends and advisers.

Not till the gay crowd had been left behind did Honor turn to Phoebe, and
say gently, 'My dear, if he is gone off in any foolish way, you had
better tell me at once, that something may be done.'

'He is gone with Robert,' said Phoebe. 'Bertha did real