"We did not know it till this morning, and I was angry and frightened. We could have done nothing, even if we had known. There is no one but Mr Brandon who has a right to say anything, and he does not like to interfere with Mr St. Cyr. But I think that has been done by Mr Jerome and Madame Precoe, and not Mr St. Cyr. I should be in despair if I thought Mr St. Cyr had turned against us." "Have they heard that Mr Vane is worse?" asked Miss Robina anxiously. Frederica turned pale: "They all ask that. Dear Miss Robina, do you think he is really worse. What must we then do?" "My darling, don't be troubled. No harm can really come to you. It is not to be believed. Have you seen Mr St. Cyr? He is a man of high character. He will do nothing wrong--nothing unlawful, surely." "He has been ill. They thought him dying. I have not seen him for a long time. Oh! if papa would only come home! No, I am not going to cry. But I am tired, and--yes--I am afraid." "When had you your dinner?" asked Mistress Campbell gravely. Frederica laughed. "I don't know; I don't think I had any." "And no wonder you are faint-hearted. Just you lie down and rest you, and you will be another creature when you get your tea." But Frederica was too excited and anxious to rest. She enjoyed her tea, however, and so did Hubert. He had evidently not been used to dainty fare of late, and he yielded to Mistress Campbell's entreaties to eat, with entire willingness and enjoyment Fred found her strength and courage renewed when she rose to go. "I will come again soon, if I am not carried away too," said she laughing. "My dear, it is no laughing matter," said Mistress Campbell gravely. "May the Lord preserve you all?" "He will, Selina says. She is not afraid. Selina is better than I am," said Fred humbly. "But then it's no' our deserts we are to lippen to. You'll be cared for, never fear. He'll give His angels charge, and He'll no' leave it altogether to them either. He'll raise some one up to take the orphan's part." Miss Robina promised to come and see her soon, and bring her tidings of Hubert, who was already so sound asleep, that he could not be awakened to say good-bye; and somewhat reassured and comforted, Frederica went away. But how lonely and friendless she felt, as she went down the familiar street! By some association, which it would not have been easy to trace, there came back to her the remembrance of their unexpected holiday at Easter. Oh, how long it seemed, since these two happy children had gone dancing down the street! How light-hearted they had been! how fearless of all possible evil!