"No. I believe the worst of my skating is, that it is totally devoid of every sort of expression. That is just the true account of it," he continued, as his wife laughed. "I do not square my elbows, nor set my coat flying, nor stoop, nor rear; but neither is there any grace. I just go straight on; and, as far as I know, nobody ever bids any other body look at me." "So you bid your own family come and look at you. But how are your neighbours to quiz you if they do not observe you?" "Oh, that was only a bit of antithesis for effect. My last account is the true one, as you will see. I shall come in for you at twelve." By twelve the sun had shone out, and the ladies, booted, furred, and veiled, were ready to encounter the risks and rigours of the ice and snow. As they opened the hall door they met on the steps a young woman, who was just raising her hand to the knocker. Her errand was soon told. "Please, ma'am, I heard that you wanted a servant." "That is true," said Hester. "Where do you come from?--from any place near, so that you can call again?" "Surely," said Margaret, "it is Mrs Enderby's Susan." "Yes, miss, I have been living with Mrs Enderby. Mrs Enderby will give me a good character, ma'am." "Why are you leaving her, Susan?" "Oh, ma'am, only because she is gone." "Gone!--where?--what do you mean?" "Gone to live at Mrs Rowland's, ma'am. You didn't know?--it _was_ very sudden. But she moved yesterday, ma'am, and we were paid off--except Phoebe, who stays to wait upon her. I am left in charge of the house, ma'am: so I can step here again, if you wish it, some time when you are not going out." "Do so; any time this evening, or before noon to-morrow." "Did you know of this, Edward?" said his wife, as they turned the corner. "Not I. I think Mrs Rowland is mistaken in saying that nothing can be kept secret in Deerbrook. I do not believe anybody has dreamed of the poor old lady giving up her house." "Very likely Mrs Rowland never dreamed of it herself; till the day it was done," observed Margaret. "Oh, yes, she did," said Mr Hope. "I understand now the old lady's agitation, and the expressions she dropped about `last times' nearly a month ago." "By-the-by, that was the last time you saw her--was it not?" "Yes; the next day when I called I was told that she was better, and that she would send when she wished to see me again, to save me the trouble of calling when she might be asleep." "She has been asleep or engaged every time I have inquired at the door of late," observed Margaret. "I hope she is doing nothing but what she likes in this change of plan." "I believe she finds most peace and quiet in doing what her daughter likes," said Mr Hope. "Here, Margaret, where are you going? This is the gate. I believe you have not learned your way about yet." "I will follow you immediately," said Margaret: "I will only go a few steps to see if this can really be true."