After dispatching this laconic reply, the Earl went to Ellen's dressing-room. Laura had just left her; Jane only was with her: at the moment he entered, Ellen was reading a note, which, when she saw him, she hastily folded together, and put within the bosom of her morning dress: she seemed a little agitated, and the tears stood in her eyes, but hastening to meet him, she said:-- "My dear St. Aubyn, they told me you were gone out." "No, my love," said St. Aubyn, a little surprized at the hasty manner in which she spoke; "but I am going out soon." "Shall you take the barouche or the chariot?" "Neither; I shall walk to Sir Edward Leicester's: but why; are _you_ going out?" "Yes--by and bye; I think a little air will do me good." "Had you not better keep quiet? You know my aunt particularly requested you would do so; she will be here soon: do not go till you have seen her, nor then unless she advises it." "But I assure you, my Lord, I am perfectly well, and I am sure a little air will be of service." "Well, do as you please," said St. Aubyn, a little surprized at her adhering so determinately to her idea of going out; for, in general, half a word from him guided her; "but you will not go alone?" "Oh--no, Laura will go with me." "Very well, my love; don't fatigue yourself. Where are you going?" "I don't know exactly: I want to do some shopping." St. Aubyn then wished her good-morning, and repeating his request that she would take care of herself, left her. The real fact was this--Jane, who was Ellen's almoner, and brought to her knowledge many cases of distress, of which she would otherwise have been ignorant, had the night before, while her lady was at the play, received a petition from an officer's widow, who stated herself to be living in a small lodging in ---- Street; that she had several children, of whom the youngest was an infant not a month old, born under circumstances of the most acute distress, a few months after its father had fallen in the field of battle; the eldest, a girl of sixteen, in a deep decline: these circumstances, she said, prevented her from waiting herself on Lady St. Aubyn, of whose goodness she had heard much from an old blind lady, her neighbour, whom, in fact, Ellen had supported for some time past, and whom she had visited two or three times with Jane only.