And now the magnitude of the step she had taken began to obtrude itself, mingled with a wearying iteration of thoughts of Northwood, and what must have been going on since the morning when her flight was first discovered. Her uncle's anger would, she knew, be terrible! Then her cousin! She could not help picturing his rage when he found that she had escaped him. What would her aunt and the servants think of her conduct? And then it was that there was a burning sensation in her cheeks, as her thoughts turned to Leigh and his sister, the only people that during her stay at Northwood she had learned to esteem. And somehow the burning in her cheeks increased till the tears rose to her eyes, when, as if the heat was quenched, she turned pale with misery and despair, for she felt how strongly that she had left behind in Jenny Leigh one for whom she had almost unknowingly conceived a genuine sisterly affection. From that moment the struggle she had been having to seem calm, and at home, intensified, and she pushed away cup and saucer and rose from the table, just as the housekeeper, who had been in and out several times, reentered. "But you haven't done, miss?" she said, plaintively. "Yes, thank you; I am not very well this morning," said Kate, hastily. "As anyone could see, miss, with half an eye; but there's something wrong, of course." "Something--wrong?" faltered Kate. "Yes, miss," said the woman in an ill-used tone. "The tea wasn't strong enough, or the sole wasn't done to your liking." "Don't think that, Mrs--Mrs--" "Plant's my name, miss--Sarah Plant, and Becky's Becky. Don't call me Mrs., please; I'm only the servant." "Well, do not think that, Sarah Plant. Everything has been particularly nice, only I have no appetite this morning--I mean, to-day." "You do mean that, miss?" "Of course I do." "Thank you kindly, miss. I did try very hard, for master was so very particular about it. He always is particular, almost as Mr Jenour was; but this morning he was extra, and poor, dear, old master was never anything like it. Then if you please, miss, I'll send Becky to clear away, and perhaps you'd like to go round and see your new house. I hope you will find everything to your satisfaction." "My new house?" "Yes, miss; master said it was yours, and that we were to look upon you as mistress and do everything you wished, just as if you were his daughter come to keep house for him. This way please, miss." Kate was ready to say that she wished to sit down and write, for her heart was full of self-reproach, and she longed to pour out her feelings to her old confidential maid; but the thought that it would be better perhaps to fall in with Garstang's wishes and assume the position he had arranged for her to occupy, made her acquiesce and follow the housekeeper out of the room.