From Paddington we drove straightway to the lodgings of Conrad Vaughan. As we jolted along the New-road, which always has more holes in it than any other street in London, I lost my wits in a tumult of thick tempestuous thought. What would Conny say to see me, me the haughty Clara, coming all impatiently even in quest of him? Would it not have been far better, far more like an English maiden, to wait, and wait, and wear the soul out, rather than to run the risk of mis-interpretation? True, it was for his father’s sake, to save him from deadly peril, and to make his happiness complete; but might not all have been done by messenger, as well as by me in person? So at least might fancy those who did not know our enemy. Worst of all, and cloudiest thought, that filled the eyes every time it came,--would he love me still? Would not the strong revulsion, that must have torn him in two, when he dashed his hand on his forehead, and forgot even man’s forbearance, would not, must not this have snapped all the delicate roots of love? I could not tell. Of man’s heart I know nothing; but I felt that with me, a woman, such a horrible thing would create only longing to make amends. "Mrs. Fletcher, how is my hair?" "Lovely, my pretty child"--she always called me so from habit when no one else was present--"you look your very best; and I’d like to see them that could--talk to me of Lilies indeed, when our Miss Clara--" "No smuts on my nose, Mrs. Fletcher, I hope? I never feel sure, in London. You don’t know London, you see." "No, my pretty, as clean as a whistle, and as clear as the voice of a May-bird, every atom of you. There’s no such complexion nowhere out of Gloshire or in it: and its all along of the brimstone and treacle I give you, when you was small. Talk to me of Lilies--why I see three great butter spots, as big as the point of a needle, and I know by the make of her boot that her little toe turn over; and what’s more than that--" "Mrs. Fletcher, I won’t hear a word of it. As to her little toe, I can most solemnly declare that you are wrong altogether; for I have seen her naked foot, and a lovelier one never was--" "Take yours out of the way, Miss. But--" "But-- here we are; and you have made my cheeks quite red! I shall be ashamed to be seen." However, it did not matter; for there was no one there to see me. Conrad was gone to Paris; he had quitted London quite suddenly, and there was a letter left for his sister, which the girl forgot to post, till she thought it was too late. And he said very likely he should go on to Italy; and they were not to keep the rooms, if they had a chance of letting them, only to put away the things he had left, in the cupboard. So I took the letter, directed "Miss Isola Ross," but I did not dare to open it, much as I longed to do so. Having enclosed it in a new envelope, and posted it in the nearest letter-box, with a heavy heart I re-entered the cab, and went on to Mrs. Shelfer’s.