ure be very hard to maintain. My mind was ill at ease.
I wished the poor ladies both well again, and I wished myself away from
Blackwater Park.

II

The next event that occurred was of so singular a nature that it might
have caused me a feeling of superstitious surprise, if my mind had not
been fortified by principle against any pagan weakness of that sort.
The uneasy sense of something wrong in the family which had made me
wish myself away from Blackwater Park, was actually followed, strange
to say, by my departure from the house. It is true that my absence was
for a temporary period only, but the coincidence was, in my opinion,
not the less remarkable on that account.

My departure took place under the following circumstances--

A day or two after the servants all left I was again sent for to see
Sir Percival. The undeserved slur which he had cast on my management
of the household did not, I am happy to say, prevent me from returning
good for evil to the best of my ability, by complying with his request
as readily and respectfully as ever. It cost me a struggle with that
fallen nature, which we all share in common, before I could suppress my
feelings. Being accustomed to self-discipline, I accomplished the
sacrifice.

I found Sir Percival and Count Fosco sitting together again. On this
occasion his lordship remained present at the interview, and assisted
in the development of Sir Percival's views.

The subject to which they now requested my attention related to the
healthy change of air by which we all hoped that Miss Halcombe and Lady
Glyde might soon be enabled to profit. Sir Percival mentioned that
both the ladies would probably pass the autumn (by invitation of
Frederick Fairlie, Esquire) at Limmeridge House, Cumberland. But
before they went there, it was his opinion, confirmed by Count Fosco
(who here took up the conversation and continued it to the end), that
they would benefit by a short residence first in the genial climate of
Torquay. The great object, therefore, was to engage lodgings at that
place, affording all the comforts and advantages of which they stood in
need, and the great difficulty was to find an experienced person
capable of choosing the sort of residence which they wanted. In this
emergency the Count begged to inquire, on Sir Percival's behalf,
whether I would object to give the ladies the benefit of my assistance,
by proceeding myself to Torquay in their interests.

It w