And Mrs. Gass felt that the words startled her to pallor. She turned away lest he should see the change in her countenance. Bad news arrived from Mrs. Cumberland. Only a morning or two later, a loud knock at the front-door disturbed Jelly and Dinah at their breakfast. Upon its being opened by the latter, Dr. Rane walked straight into the kitchen without ceremony, an open letter in his hand. Jelly rose and curtsied. She had been markedly respectful to the doctor of late, perhaps in very fear lest he should suspect the curious things that were troubling her mind. "My mother will be home to-night, Jelly." "To-night, sir!" exclaimed Jelly in her surprise. "She is much worse. Very ill indeed. She says she is coming home to die." Jelly was startled out of her equanimity. "It is only three lines, and she writes herself," continued Dr. Rane, just showing the letter in his hand, as if in confirmation. "They were to go to London yesterday, remain there the night, and will come home to-day. Of course you will have everything in readiness." "Yes, sir. And what about meeting my mistress at the station?" "I shall go myself," said Dr. Rane. He went away with the last words. Jelly sat still for a few minutes to digest the news, and came to the conclusion that "coming home to die" was a mere figure of speech of Mrs. Cumberland's. Then she rose up to begin her preparations, and overwhelmed and bewildered Dinah with a multitude of orders. During the day, Jelly, in pursuance of something or other she wanted, was walking quickly towards Dallory, when in passing the Hall gates she found herself accosted by Mrs. North. Madam was taking her usual promenade in the grounds, and had extended it to the gates. Jelly stood still in sheer amazement; it was the first time within her recollection that madam had condescended to address her or any other inhabitant of the neighbourhood. How was Mrs. Cumberland?--and _where_ was she? madam graciously asked. And Jelly in the moment's haste, answered that she was at Eastsea. "To stay the winter, I believe," went on madam. "And Miss Adair--is she with her?" "I ought to have said _was_ at Eastsea," corrected Jelly, who did not like madam well enough to be more than barely civil to her. "My mistress is worse, and is coming home to-day. Miss Adair is with her of course. I must wish you good-morning, madam; I've all my work before me to-day." And away went Jelly, leaving madam a mental compliment: "Nasty proud cat! she had some sly motive for asking, I know." And so the day went on. The early twilight of the autumn evening was beginning to fall, together with a heavy shower of rain, when the carriage containing Mrs. Cumberland stopped at her door. Jelly ran out; and was met by Ellen Adair, who spoke in a startled whisper. "Oh, Jelly, she is so ill! too ill to speak."