“No.” “You are going to obey the summons, child?” “I am, Lady Georgina.” “You won’t tell me what it is all about?” “I cannot; you must not question me.” “Then, at least understand one thing,” said Lady Georgina in a determined voice—“where you go, I go.” “You!” answered Nance, looking up with a queer expression in her eyes. Her mouth suddenly twitched with emotion which she could scarcely control. “No,” she said, “you are kind—you are very kind, you are my best friend after my husband, but I must do this thing alone. It is part of the agony that it must be done alone and without help; I must consult no one. I must go to town by myself.” “My dear little girl, you must do nothing of the kind. I have no wish to spy into your secret. You can see whoever you wish to see by yourself, but your husband put you into my care, and where you go, Nancy, I go.” “As you please; I have no strength to argue about the matter,” said Nancy in a faint voice. She went up to her room to put on her travelling cloak and bonnet, and found Hester waiting for her. Hester was neatly dressed in her travelling things. “Of course you want me to go with you, madam?” she said. “I think not, Hester,” replied Nance, “If I stay in town for any length of time I will telegraph to you to join me, but you are not to accompany me to-day.” “As you please, of course, madam. I have packed everything you will require, and, of course, shall be in readiness to go to town the moment I receive your telegram.” Hester took off her hat as she spoke. Her face was very pale. “You don’t look well,” said Nancy, whose heart was never too much troubled to forget to notice the pains and sorrows of others. “I have been having bad head-aches lately,” replied the girl, turning crimson; then she added after a pause, as she held out her mistress’s cloak for her to put on, “I don’t know if Mrs. Ferguson acquainted you with the fact, madam, that I must leave your service.” “Indeed,” replied Nance. She would have liked to have added that she was sorry, but the words were arrested on her lips. She knew in her heart of hearts that Hester’s absence would be a relief. “Yes, madam,” continued the girl, “I am leaving in about a fortnight. Mrs. Ferguson says she can easily supply my place, and as I am to be married——” “Married!” cried Nancy; “you are leaving because of that?” “Yes, madam, I expect to be married in a fortnight from now.” The sound of wheels was heard crunching the gravel outside. “I must go,” said Nance, catching up her gloves and muff. “Good-bye, Hester; you can tell me all about your future prospects when next we meet—who your husband is to be, and all about it. Good-bye.” Nance nodded kindly and left the room. A moment or two later, she and Lady Georgina were driving to Pitstow station. They reached it in good time, took their train, and presently found themselves steaming quickly in the direction of London. They had a first-class compartment to themselves.