been here long enough. Lord Lovel has gone away, and
though you are so very angry, it is better I should
tell you that we are not any longer friends. Dear, dear,
dearest mamma; I am so very unhappy that you should not be
pleased with me. I would die to-morrow if I could make you
happy. But it is all over now, and he would not do it even
if I could say that it should be so. He has gone away, and
is in London, and would tell you so himself if you would
ask him. He despises me, as I always knew he would,--and
so he has gone away. I don't think anything of myself,
because I knew it must be so; but I am so very unhappy
because you will be unhappy.

I don't think they want to have me here any longer, and of
course there is no reason why they should. They were very
nice to me before all this happened, and they never say
anything illnatured to me now. But it is very different,
and there cannot be any good in remaining. You are all
alone, and I think you would be glad to see your poor
Anna, even though you are so angry with her. Pray let me
come home. I could start very well on Friday, and I think
I will do so, unless I hear from you to the contrary. I
can take my place by the coach, and go away at twelve
o'clock from York, and be at that place in London on
Saturday at eleven. I must take my place on Thursday. I
have plenty of money, as I have not spent any since I have
been here. Of course Sarah will come with me. She is not
nearly so nice since she knew that Lord Lovel was to go
away.

Dear mamma, I do love you so much.

Your most affectionate daughter,

ANNA.

It was not wilfully that the poor girl gave her mother no opportunity
of answering her before she had taken her place by the coach. On
Thursday morning the place had to be taken, and on Thursday evening
she got her mother's letter. By the same post came the Earl's letter
to his aunt, desiring that Lady Anna might, if possible, be kept at
Yoxham. The places were taken, and it was impossible. "I don't see
why you should go," said aunt Julia, who clearly perceived that her
nephew had been instigated to pursue the marriage scheme since he had
been in town. Lady Anna urged that the money had been paid for two
places by the coach. "My brother could arrange that, I do not doubt,"
said aunt Julia. But the Countess now expected her daughter, and
Lady Anna stuck to her resolve. H