I made her no direct reply, for I felt I was acting a double—nay, a treble part, in being thus confided in by _three_, but I could not well help it, and I hoped, by betraying neither party, to atone in a measure for any deceit I might be practising. After that night there was a great change in Anna, who became so lively and cheerful that nearly all observed it, while Herbert’s attentions to her, both at home and abroad, were so marked as to arouse the jealously of Ada, who, while she affected to scorn the idea of being supplanted by “that awkward Lee girl,” as she called her, could not wholly conceal her anxiety lest “the Lee girl” should, after all, win from her her betrothed husband. Something of this she told my aunt, who, knowing nothing of the true state of affairs, and having the utmost confidence in her son’s honor, laughed at her fears, telling her once in my hearing, though she was unaware of my proximity, that, “however much Herbert might flirt with Anna, he had been too well brought up to think of marrying one so far beneath him.” “But he does think of it—I most know he does,” persisted Ada, beginning to cry; “and I wish you’d send her home, won’t you?” I did not hear my aunt’s reply, but with Ada, my own heart echoed, “send her home,” for much as I liked Herbert, I shrank from the thought of committing my gentle sister’s happiness to his keeping, and secretly I resolved upon writing to my father and acquainting him with the whole; but, alas! I deferred it from day to day, until it was too late. CHAPTER XIII. THE FLIGHT. One bright morning about the middle of January, Herbert announced his intention of going to Worcester with Anna, who, he said, wished to visit the Lunatic Asylum, and as a young physician of his acquaintance had just commenced practising there, it would be a good opportunity for them to go over the building. To this my aunt made no objection, merely proposing that Ada, too, should go. Afterwards I remembered the peculiar look in Herbert’s eye, as he replied “Oh fie! mother, Ada’s nerves are not strong enough to endure it. She can go with me some other time.”