"Oh, that's for you maids, not for her. She is not a good forgiver," said my Uncle Charles, more gravely. "She takes after her mother, my Lady Sophia. Don't I remember my Lady Sophia!" And I should say, from the expression of my Uncle Charles's face, that his recollections of my Lady Sophia Carlingford were not among the pleasantest he had. Hatty is growing much more like herself, with the pertness left out. She looks a great deal better, and can smile and laugh now; but her old sharp, bright ways are gone, and only show now and then, in a little flash, what she was once. The Crosslands have disappeared--nobody knows where. But I do not think Miss Marianne Newton has broken her heart; indeed, I am not quite sure that she has one. In the afternoon, Ephraim came, and I went in a chair under his escort to Mr Raymond's house. Hatty declined to come; she seemed to have a dislike to go out of doors, further than just to take the air in the square, with Dobson behind her. I should not like that at all. It would make me feel as if the constable had me in custody. But Grandmamma insists on it; and Hatty does not seem to feel safe without somebody. In Mr Raymond's parlour, I found Annas and Flora, alone. I do not know what to say they looked like. Both are white and worn, as if a great strain had been on their hearts: but Flora is much the more broken-down of the two. Annas is more queenly than ever, with a strange, far-away look in the dear grey eyes, that I can hardly bear to see. I ran up to her first thing. "O Annas, tell me!" I cried, amidst my kisses, "tell me, did I do right or wrong?" I felt sure she would need no explanation. "You did right, Cary,"--and the dark grey eyes looked full into mine. "Who are we, to refuse our best to the Master when He calls? But it is hard, hard to bear it!" "Is there _any_ hope of escape?" I asked. "There is always hope where God is," said Annas. "But it is not always hope for earth." Flora kissed me, and whispered, "Thank you for Angus!" but then she broke down, and cried like a child. "Have you heard anything of Angus?" I asked. "Yes," said Annas, who shed no tears. "He is safe in France, with friends of the Cause." "In France!" cried I. "Yes. Did you think he could stay in England? Impossible, except now and then in disguise, for a stolen visit, perhaps, when some years are gone." "Then if Colonel Keith could escape--" "That would be his lot. Of course, unless the Prince were entirely successful." I felt quite dismayed. I had never thought of this. "And how long do you stay here?" said I. "Only till I can obtain a hearing of the Princess Caroline. That is arranged by Mr Raymond, through some friends of his. He and Mr Hebblethwaite have been very, very good to us." "I do not know what we should have done without them," said Flora, wiping her eyes. "And is the day fixed for you to see the Princess?"