"Nothing can be done now," concluded Mrs. Gass. "There's just one chance for you--that the rumour may die away. If it will, let it; and take warning to be more cautious in future. The probability is that Mother Green and Tim Wilks have mentioned it to others besides me and Packerton's wife: if so, nothing will keep it under. You have been a great fool, Jelly." Jelly went away in terrible fright. Mrs. Gass had laid the matter before her in its true light. Suspect as she might, _she had no proof_; and if questioned by authority could not have advanced one. "Dr. Rane have been in here three times after you," was young Riah's salutation when Jelly reached home. "Dr. Rane has?" "And he said the last time you oughtn't to be away from the house so long with only me in it," added the damsel, who felt aggrieved, on her own score, at having been left. "Oh, did he!" carelessly returned Jelly. But she began considering what Dr. Rane could want. For her parting charge to Riah, that Dr. Rane was coming in, had been a slight invention of her own, meant to keep that young person up to her duty. Just as she had decided that it might refer to this same report, which he might have heard, and Jelly was growing more and more ill at ease in consequence, he came in. She went to him in the dining-room. "Jelly," said the doctor, "I think I have let the house." "Have you, sir?" returned Jelly, blithely, in the agreeable revulsion of feeling. "I'm sure I am glad." "But only for a short time," continued Dr. Rane. "Two ladies of Whitborough are wanting temporary change of air, and will take it if it suits them. They are coming tomorrow to look at it." "Very well, sir." "They will occupy the house for a month, and perhaps take it for longer. This will give me time to let it for a permanency. If you feel inclined to take service with them, I believe there will be room for you." "Who are they?" asked Jelly. "Mrs. and Miss Beverage. Quakers." She knew the name. Very respectable people; plenty of money. "You'll show them over it tomorrow when they come: I may or may not be in the way at the time," concluded Dr. Rane. Jelly attended him to the door. It was evident he had not heard the rumour that had reached Mrs. Gass; or, at least, did not connect Jelly in any way with it. But how was he likely to hear it? The probability was, that all Dallory would be full of it before it reached him. Jelly could not eat her supper. Mrs. Gass's communication had left no room for appetite. Neither did she get any sleep. Tossing and turning on her bed, lay she: the past doubt and present dread troubling her brain until morning.