It seemed that Miss Agnace had not been needed in the garden, or rather the need for her was past, before she had been sent out. She met the girls returning to the house. They were very quiet but there was some restrained excitement in their manners, as she remembered afterwards. They went to their own room, where she had supposed they both remained till she went to tell them that luncheon was served. But only Selina was there. Frederica had gone to see their sister Caroline, she told Miss Agnace. "But my dear, should she not have asked permission, or at least have said that she was going, or have taken the carriage. It is not well that a young lady should go out alone, and she is not strong." "Of whom should she ask permission?" said Selina coldly. And so Miss Agnace had gone to let Madame know, as Madame expected her to let her know everything that went on in the house. But she had not waited to hear, and Frederica had been allowed to have her own way. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. Madame Precoe's care in sending Sister Agnace into the garden because of old Dixen, had been more needed than she supposed, but it came too late to be of use. The old man had been busy near one of the walks as they entered, and he had answered their greeting very briefly. But as he stooped again he said hurriedly,-- "She thinks I am blind, but I can see her and the priest at the window looking out. Go round to the other side behind the hedge, young ladies dear, for I have something to tell you." He worked on for a little while after they had disappeared. He worked his way along the walk till he was out of sight of the windows, then coming close to them he said in a whisper, as though he feared to be overheard,-- "I have seen the little lads. Mrs Hearn told me something that made me think they were at the school with her boys. I never let on that it was not all right, and I watched afterwards, and saw them walking with the rest. But they do not always walk, and they are well watched." "I knew it was Charlie's voice," said Selina. "Oh! Lena! Oh! Dixen! What shall we do?" said Frederica, clasping her hands. "Fred love! God will take care of them." But Selina herself grew pale. "And is it true that Miss Tessie was sent away to the convent without a word to you two?" went on Dixen. "I'm sore feared that something must have happened to the master, or they would never have dared to do that." "But it cannot be that, Dixen. For the boys must have been there a long time. They were never sent back, I suppose," said Frederica. "And we have heard nothing from papa for a fortnight," said Selina.