"I don't know," sobbed Nelly--"nobody knows. She would not say a word even to mamma; and mamma said it was very obstinate, and that she was obstinate altogether." "Do you think--" said Charley huskily, and then he stopped as if he could not utter the words--"do you think she told Max?" "Told Max!" said Nelly, almost laughingly; "no, she wouldn't tell him. She hated him too much, for he was always worrying her, when all the time she was ever so fond of you, Charley. I knew it, though she never said so. Pah, she would never tell such a donkey as that, when she would not tell me! They think I'm very stupid; but I know well enough why she wouldn't stay, nor yet say where she was going: it was all because of Max, so that he should not bother her any more." "Go on, pray!" exclaimed Charley. "I have not got anything more to tell you," said Nelly pitifully, "only that there was such a scene over and over again; for at the last Laury and Max both wanted her to stay, and Laury asked her over and over again; but I could see through that: it was because Max made her, for some reason of his own." Here was a new light altogether: Laura and Max both asking her to stay, and the poor girl led such a life that she was compelled to leave. Why had she not confided in him, then, when he had implored her to listen to him? But that ring? Troubled in spirit, Charley began to stride up and down the wood, but only to stop once more in front of Nelly. "When did she go?" he asked. "Yesterday morning," said Nelly; "but I couldn't send you word till to-day. And now I want to ask you something, Charley." "Quick, then!" he said hoarsely, as he turned to go. "Will you try and find out where Miss Bedford is gone, and then tell me when you know?" "Yes, yes!" cried Charley, rushing off. "Yes, yes, indeed!" cried Nelly; "that's a pretty way to leave a lady who has given him a mysterious assignation in a wood; and--There, now-- what shall I do? If I haven't forgotten all about the pears!" Volume 2, Chapter V. MR MAXIMILIAN BEGINNETH TO SHOW HIS HAND. Gone without leaving a trace behind! Would she take another engagement, and write to Mrs Bray for a recommendation? She might, or she might not. She had taken the train at Lexville station after Dudgeon had, by Mrs Bray's gracious permission, driven the light cart in with "the governess's boxes;" but upon Mr Dudgeon being favoured with five shillings by Charley Vining, he shook his head. "Sutternly, sir, I did see her boxes in the station, but I didn't read the directions." Foiled there, Charley inquired of the booking-clerk. "O yes, sir; remember it perfectly well. Mr Max Bray asked the very same question only this morning. She took a ticket for London, sir." "Max Bray asking," mused Charley. "Then he did not know where she was, and there could be no undercurrent at work there. Max wanted to know her address, confound him! He had better mind how he stood in his way."