"Why, that's my brave, good little maid!" said Mr. Corbet, as she consented to go in. "You have worked wonders, Mrs. Merton. I was afraid of a scene." "I don't cry any more, now!" said Betty. "I am trying to be good, like my mother and Margaret." When I reported the matter to Lady Stanton, I thought she looked rather grave upon it. So I hastened to say, that I did not think Lady Betty had taken cold, and I was sorry if I had done wrong, but that the child had been so overjoyed at her cousin's offer, that I could not bear to disappoint her. "You have done no wrong, sweetheart!" said my Lady. "And I dare say nobody will be the worse, but we must not trouble Mr. Corbet. The next time, we will have John Footman carry her down." _May 9._ Lady Jemima is really gone, and Mr. Penrose with her. They travel in company with some friends from Exeter. She left on the fifth of the month, and is to be away four weeks, she says, at the very most. I am rather sorry I gave her the letter for Felicia. I somehow feel as if trouble would grow out of it. I don't know why, only that Felicia has been my great cause of trouble hitherto, and I doubt if she will be able to let slip a chance of saying something to my disadvantage. Aunt Willson will speak for me, that is one thing. Betty has been out every pleasant day, and I think the fresh air, the change, and exercise, really do her good. She has gained strength, appetite, and a little color, and Mary says she sleeps more quietly at night. She gets on finely with her reading, and wants to begin writing, but I put her off as yet. My Lady demurred a little at this, because Lady Betty is so very backward for a child of her age. But I told her I was sure it was best not to overcrowd her, but to better her health, if possible, first of all. And to this, she agreed. Betty herself is growing ambitious, and I now have to check her instead of urging her on, as at first. She is very much pleased at being godmother (by proxy, of course) to one of the twins for whom we have been working, and I have promised that the babes shall come up to see her when the mother is able to bring them. I have sometimes debated in my own mind, whether she ought not to be told of what is coming, but on the whole I do not think it best. Mrs. Corbet has been up at the Court, and made us quite a visit in the nursery. How any one could for one moment impute evil to her, I cannot guess. I should think the very sight of her face would be enough to banish suspicion, if one had entertained it. There is somewhat in her very presence so restful—I know not how else to express my meaning. I think if I were ill, or in trouble, I should feel it a comfort only to have her in the room, if she did not say a word. She looked with a real interest at Lady Betty's sewing, commended its neatness, and said she was glad to see her busy about such work.