the doings
at the Allonfield Union. During this time Mrs. Frederick Langford put a
few stitches into her work, found it would not do, and paused, stood
up, seemed to be observing the new arrangement in the room,--then took
a long look out at the window, and at last left the room. Henrietta ran
after her to assure her that she was convinced that Uncle Geoffrey was
not alarmed, and to beg her to set her mind at rest. "Thank you, my
dear," said she. "I--no, really--you know how foolish I am, my dear,
and I think I had rather be alone. Don't stay here and frighten yourself
too; this is only my usual fright, and it will be better if I am left
alone. Go down, my dear, think about something else, and let me know
when they come home."

With considerable reluctance Henrietta was obliged to obey, and
descended to the drawing-room, where the first words that met her ears
were from Uncle Roger. "Well, I wish, with all my heart, they were safe
at home again. But do you mean to say, Geoffrey, that I ought not to
have let them go?"

"I shall certainly come upon you for damages, if he breaks the neck of
little Bee," said Uncle Geoffrey.

"If I had guessed it," said Uncle Roger; "but then, you know, any of
my boys would think nothing of driving Dumple,--even Dick I have
trusted,--and they came up--you should have seen them--as confidently as
if he had been driving four-in-hand every day of his life. Upon my word
your daughter has a tolerable spirit of her own, if she knew that he
could not drive."

"A tolerable spirit of self-will," said Uncle Geoffrey, with a sigh.
"But did you see them off, how did they manage?"

"Ah! why there, I must confess, I was to blame," said his brother. "They
did clear out of the yard in a strange fashion, certainly, and I might
have questioned a little closer. But never mind, 'tis all straight road.
I would lay any wager they will come back safe,--boys always do."

Uncle Geoffrey smiled, but Henrietta thought it a very bad sign that
he, too, looked out at the window; and the confidence founded on his
tranquillity deserted her.

Uncle Roger forthwith returned to the fighting o'er again of his battles
at the Board of Guardians, and Henrietta was able to get to the window,
where for some ten minutes she sat, and at length exclaimed with a
start, "Here is Willy running across the paddock!"

"All right!" said Uncle Roger, "they must have stopped at Sutton Leigh!"

"It is the opposite way!" said Mr. Ge