he room up-stairs was warm and comfortable, but Hatty was not there. A
girl of about fourteen, in a loose blue sacque, which looked very cold
for the weather, came forward and shook hands with me.

"My daughter," said Mrs Crossland. "Annabella, my dear, run up and ask
Miss Hester if she feels well enough to come down. Tell her that her
sister is here."

"Allow me to go up with Miss Annabella, and perhaps save her a journey,"
said I. "Messages are apt to be returned and to make further errands."

"Oh, but--pray do not give yourself that trouble," said Miss Annabella,
glancing at her mother.

"Certainly not. I cannot think of it," answered Mrs Crossland,
hastily. "Poor Miss Hester has been suffering so much from toothache--I
beg you will not disturb her, Miss Caroline."

I suppose I was rude: but how could I help it?

"Why should I disturb her more than Miss Crossland?" I replied.
"Sisters do not make strangers of each other."

"Oh, she does not expect you: and indeed, Miss Caroline,--do let me beg
of you,--Dr Summerfield did just hint yesterday--just a hint, you
understand,--about small-pox. I could not on any account let you go up,
for your own sake."

"Is my sister so ill as that?" I replied. "I think we might have
expected to be told it sooner. Then, Madam, I shall certainly go up.
Miss Crossland, will you show me the way?"

I do not know whether Mrs Crossland thought me bold and unladylike, but
if she had known how every bit of me was trembling, she might perhaps
have changed that view.

"O Miss Caroline, how can you? I could not allow Annabella to do such a
thing. Think of the clanger!--Annabella, come back! You shall not go
into an infected air."

"Pardon me, Madam, but I thought you proposed yourself to send Miss
Annabella. Then I will not trouble any one. I can find the way
myself."

And resolutely closing the door behind me, up-stairs I walked. I did
not believe a word about Hatty having the small-pox: but if I had done,
I should have done the same. I heard behind me exclamations of--"That
bold, brazen thing! She will find out all. Annabella, call Godfrey!
call him! That hussy must not--"

I was up-stairs by this time. I rapped at the first door, and had no
answer; the second was the same. From the third I heard the sound of
weeping, and a man's voice, which I thought I recognised as that of Mr
Crossland.

"I shall not allow of any more hesitation," he was saying. "You m