ip's bed-room that night.
During all this period the general discomfort of Fawn Court was
increased by a certain sullenness on the part of Augusta, the elder
daughter, who knew that letters had come and that consultations were
being held,--but who was not admitted to those consultations. Since
the day on which poor Augusta had been handed over to Lizzie Eustace
as her peculiar friend in the family, there had always existed a
feeling that she, by her position, was debarred from sympathising in
the general desire to be quit of Lizzie; and then, too, poor Augusta
was never thoroughly trusted by that great guide of the family, Mrs.
Hittaway. "She couldn't keep it to herself if you'd give her gold to
do it," Mrs. Hittaway would say. Consequently Augusta was sullen and
conscious of ill-usage. "Have you fixed upon anything?" she said to
Lucy that evening.

"Not quite;--only I am to go away."

"I don't see why you should go away at all. Frederic doesn't come
here so very often, and when he does come he doesn't say much to any
one. I suppose it's all Amelia's doing."

"Nobody wants me to go, only I feel that I ought. Mr. Greystock
thinks it best."

"I suppose he's going to quarrel with us all."

"No, dear. I don't think he wants to quarrel with any one;--but above
all he must not quarrel with me. Lord Fawn has quarrelled with him,
and that's a misfortune,--just for the present."

"And where are you going?"

"Nothing has been settled yet; but we are talking of Lady
Linlithgow,--if she will take me."

"Lady Linlithgow! Oh dear!"

"Won't it do?"

"They say she is the most dreadful old woman in London. Lady Eustace
told such stories about her."

"Do you know, I think I shall rather like it."

But things were very different with Lucy the next morning. That
discussion in Lady Fawn's room was protracted till midnight, and then
it was decided that just a word should be said to Lucy, so that, if
possible, she might be induced to remain at Fawn Court. Lady Fawn was
to say the word, and on the following morning she was closeted with
Lucy. "My dear," she began, "we all want you to do us a particular
favour." As she said this, she held Lucy by the hand, and no one
looking at them would have thought that Lucy was a governess and that
Lady Fawn was her employer.

"Dear Lady Fawn, indeed it is better that I should go."

"Stay just one month."

"I couldn't do that, because then this chance of a home would be
gone. Of course