saying farewell. He sent her a note, however, and
promised to write frequently to her, and with this she was obliged to be
satisfied.

Never had poor Jane felt the trial of separation so much: the trial
itself was greater, and she had no liberty to indulge her feelings. She
could not leave Isabella, and she could not give way to tears before
her, nor even speak to her of her sorrow. She smiled and spoke
cheerfully, though her heart was heavier than it had ever been. Charles
was not much happier; but they had both the consciousness of being
useful to cheer them, and Charles really expected much pleasure from
intercourse with Henry Monteath. He arrived at the well-known
public-house by breakfast-time: he had recognised the very spot on the
road where the coach was upset, and was himself surprised at the
involuntary shudder which the sight of it caused.

Mrs Monteath met him on the stairs, and welcomed him kindly. She said
that her son was impatient to see him, and would be on his sofa, and
prepared for a long day of pleasure, by the time Charles had finished
his breakfast. In the mean time she conveyed to Henry the parcel which
Charles had brought from the young ladies.

In answer to his very anxious enquiries, Mrs Monteath said that her
son's recovery had been as favourable as possible: this was partly owing
to the cheerful state of his mind, of which, she said, Charles would be
able to judge when he conversed with him. She said she was surprised
every day to find how easy she herself was: but she supposed that the
pleasure of witnessing his daily progress, made her unmindful of what
her son had gone through, and of the trials and deprivations he yet had
to encounter. Charles thought this a very natural and happy thing, and
he told Mrs Monteath, what he himself believed, that these deprivations
would be much less formidable in reality than in anticipation. Mrs
Monteath was an anxious mother, and she asked Charles many particulars
about her family: how they were in health and spirits; how they spoke
respecting their brother; and many other things. Charles told her all
that had passed the evening before, during his visit, and observed that
when he mentioned Miss Auchinvole, the friend of the young ladies, Mrs
Monteath's countenance expressed peculiar interest. Charles had not
much to say about her, for she had scarcely spoken, but he could not
help saying how much he had been struck by her appearance and man