st for her. Everything would have been over. She
would have been at Kingsbury Crescent, and he would have been at
Stalham. But the postscript declared his intention of finding her
still in the old quarters. She would not be there,--as she declared
to herself. After this there would be but one other day, and then she
would be gone. But even this allusion to her and to the pony made the
letter something to her of intense interest. Had it not been so Lady
Albury would not have shown it to her. As it was, why had Lady Albury
shown it to her in that quiet, placid, friendly way,--as though it
were natural that any letter from Colonel Stubbs to Stalham should be
shown to her?

At lunch Sir Harry began about the pony at once. "Miss Dormer," he
said, "the pony will hardly be fit to-morrow, and the distances
during the rest of the week are all too great for you; you had better
wait till Monday week, when Stubbs will be here to look after you."

"But I am going home on Tuesday," said Ayala.

"I've had the pony brought on purpose for you," said Sir Harry.

"You are not going at all," said Lady Albury. "All that has to be
altered. I'll write to Mrs. Dosett."

"I don't think--" began Ayala.

"I shall take it very much amiss," said Sir Harry, "if you go now.
Stubbs is coming on purpose."

"I don't think--" began Ayala again.

"My dear Ayala, it isn't a case for thinking," said Lady Albury. "You
most positively will not leave this house till some day in April,
which will have to be settled hereafter. Do not let us have a word
more about it." Then, on that immediate occasion, no further word
about it was spoken. Ayala was quite unable to speak as she sat
attempting to eat her lunch.

CHAPTER LIII.

HOW LUCY'S AFFAIRS ARRANGED THEMSELVES.

We must go again to Merle Park, where the Tringle family was still
living,--and from which Gertrude had not as yet been violently
abducted at the period to which the reader has been brought in the
relation which has been given of the affairs at Stalham. Jonathan
Stubbs's little note to Lady Albury was received on Sunday, 23rd
March, and Gertrude was not abducted till the 29th. On Sunday, the
30th, she was brought back,--not in great triumph. At that time the
house was considerably perturbed. Sir Thomas was very angry with
his daughter Augusta, having been led to believe that she had been
privy to Gertrude's escapade,--so angry that very violent words had
been spoken as to her exp