hand.

Lord Robert looked almost ready to cry when I told him I was off in the
afternoon.

"I shall see you again," he said. "Lady Katherine is a relation of my
aunt's husband, Lord Merrenden. I don't know her myself, though."

I do not believe him. How can he see me again? Young men do talk a lot
of nonsense!

"I shall come over on Wednesday to see how you are getting on," Mr.
Carruthers said. "Please do be in."

I promised I would, and then I came up-stairs.

And so it has come to an end, my life at Branches. I am going to start a
new phase of existence, my first beginning as an adventuress!

How completely all one's ideas can change in a few days! This day three
weeks ago Mrs. Carruthers was alive. This day two weeks ago I found
myself no longer a prospective heiress, and only three days ago I was
contemplating calmly the possibility of marrying Mr. Carruthers; and
now, for heaven, I would not marry any one! And so, for fresh woods and
pastures new! Oh, I want to see the world, and lots of different human
beings; I want to know what it is makes the clock go round--that great
big clock of life. I want to dance and to sing and to laugh, and to
_live_--and--and--yes, perhaps some day to kiss some one I love!

TRYLAND COURT HEADINGTON,

Wednesday, _November 9th._

Goodness gracious! I have been here four whole days, and I continually ask
myself how I shall be able to stand it for the rest of the fortnight.
Before I left Branches, I began to have a sinking at the heart. There were
horribly touching farewells with housekeepers and people I have known
since a child, and one hates to have that choky feeling, especially as
just at the end of it, while tears were still in my eyes, Mr. Carruthers
came out into the hall and saw them; so did Lord Robert!

I blinked and blinked, but one would trickle down my nose. It was a
horribly awkward moment.

Mr. Carruthers made profuse inquiries as to my comforts for the drive, in
a tone colder than ever, and insisted upon my drinking some cherry brandy.
Such fussing is quite unlike his usual manner, so I suppose he, too, felt
it was a tiresome _quart d'heure_. Lord Robert did not hide his concern;
he came up to me and took my hand while Christopher was speaking to the
footman who was going with me.

"You are a dear," he said, "and a brick, and don't you forget I shall come
an